The JavaScript Math.min() method

Q: How do I find the smallest number in an array?

Spread it into Math.min(): Math.min(...numbers).

Q: What does Math.min() return with no arguments?

Infinity. So check for an empty array before spreading it in.

Q: How do I clamp a number to a range?

Combine both: Math.min(max, Math.max(min, value)) keeps value within [min, max].

Method JavaScript All modern browsers Updated June 23, 2026

Quick answer

The Math.min() method returns the smallest of the numbers you pass it. Math.min(3, 8, 5) is 3. It takes separate arguments, so spread an array to find its minimum: Math.min(...numbers). With no arguments it returns Infinity. Its opposite is Math.max().

Overview

Math.min() compares the numbers you give it and returns the smallest. As with its twin Math.max(), it takes values as separate arguments, not an array — Math.min(3, 8, 5), not Math.min([3, 8, 5]). Pass an array directly and you get NaN.

The fix is the spread operator: Math.min(...numbers) spreads the array into individual arguments, the standard way to find an array's minimum. Together Math.min() and Math.max() are also the building blocks of clamping a value to a range: Math.min(max, Math.max(min, value)) keeps value between min and max.

Two edge cases mirror Math.max(): with no arguments at all, Math.min() returns Infinity (its identity), so guard against empty arrays; and any non-numeric argument makes the whole result NaN.

Syntax

Math.min(3, 8, 5)        // 3
Math.min(...[3, 8, 5])   // 3  (spread an array)

// clamp value between min and max
Math.min(max, Math.max(min, value))

Parameters

The Math.min() method accepts the following parameters.

Parameter	Description
`value1 ... valueN`	The numbers to compare. Pass them as separate arguments — spread an array with `...` to use its elements.

Example

Live example

<pre id="out" style="font:15px ui-monospace,monospace"></pre>
<script>
  const temps = [18, 7, 24, 11];

  const clamp = (v, lo, hi) => Math.min(hi, Math.max(lo, v));

  document.getElementById('out').textContent =
    'min: ' + Math.min(...temps) + '\n' +
    'clamp(30, 0, 25): ' + clamp(30, 0, 25); // min: 7 / clamp: 25
</script>

Best practices

Spread arrays into it: Math.min(...arr) — passing the array directly returns NaN.
Guard against empty input, since Math.min() with no arguments returns Infinity.
Clamp a value with Math.min(max, Math.max(min, value)).
Use Math.max() the same way for the largest value.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the smallest number in an array?

Spread it into Math.min(): Math.min(...numbers).

Why does Math.min() return NaN?

Either you passed an array directly (spread it instead) or one argument wasn't a number. Any non-numeric value makes the result NaN.

What does Math.min() return with no arguments?

Infinity. So check for an empty array before spreading it in.

How do I clamp a number to a range?

Combine both: Math.min(max, Math.max(min, value)) keeps value within [min, max].

Math.max() Math.pow()

References