SQL MIN and MAX

The SQL MIN() and MAX() Functions

The MIN() function retrieves the smallest value from the specified column.

The MAX() function fetches the largest value from the designated column.

MIN Example

Retrieve the minimum price from the Price column.

SELECT MIN(Price)
FROM Products;

MAX Example

Retrieve the maximum price from the Price column.

SELECT MAX(Price)
FROM Products;

Syntax

SELECT MIN(column_name)

FROM table_name

WHERE condition;

SELECT MAX(column_name)

FROM table_name

WHERE condition;

Demo Database

The following excerpt is from the Products table utilized in the illustrations:

ProductID	ProductName	SupplierID	CategoryID	Unit	Price
1	Chais	1	1	10 boxes x 20 bags	18
2	Chang	1	1	24 – 12 oz bottles	19
3	Aniseed Syrup	1	2	12 – 550 ml bottles	10
4	Chef Anton’s Cajun Seasoning	2	2	48 – 6 oz jars	22
5	Chef Anton’s Gumbo Mix	2	2	36 boxes	21.35

Set Column Name (Alias)

When employing MIN() or MAX(), the resultant column lacks a descriptive name. To assign a descriptive name to the column, utilize the AS keyword:

Example

SELECT MIN(Price) AS SmallestPrice
FROM Products;

Use MIN() with GROUP BY

In this scenario, we utilize the MIN() function along with the GROUP BY clause to retrieve the smallest price for each category listed in the Products table:

Example

SELECT MIN(Price) AS SmallestPrice, CategoryID
FROM Products
GROUP BY CategoryID;