Python min() Function

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.

Signature

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.

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

# 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

# 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: