Python min() Function

Last Updated : 27 Dec 2025

Python min() function is used to get the smallest element from the collection. This function takes two arguments, first is a collection of elements and second is key and returns the smallest element from the collection.

Python min() Function Syntax

It has the following syntax:

Parameters

collection: It is a comma-separated list of elements.
key: Specifies a one-argument ordering function.

Return

It returns the smallest element from the collection.

Different Examples for Python Min() Function

Let's see some examples of min() function to understand it's functionality.

Python min() Function Example 1

A simple example to get the smallest element from the collection. See the below example.

# Python min() function example
# Calling function
small = min(2225,325,2025) # returns smallest element
small2 = min(1000.25,2025.35,5625.36,10052.50)
# Displaying result
print(small)
print(small2)

Output:

325
1000.25

Python min() Function Example 2

Let us take an example to demonstrate the Python min() Function.

# Python min() function example
# Calling function
small = min('a','A','b','B') # returns smallest element
small2 = min([10,12],[12,21],[13,15])
# Displaying result
print(small)
print(small2)

Output:

A
[10, 12]

Python min() Function Example 3

Let us take another example to demonstrate the Python min() Function.

# Python min() function example
# Calling function
small = min("Python","Java","Scala") # returns smallest element
small2 = min([10,12,33],[12,21,55],[13,15], key=len) # returns smallest element's length
# Displaying result
print(small)
print(small2)

Output:

Java
[13, 15]

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