Minimum value: min
The min template function returns the smallest value from a collection. This is a Home Assistant override of the built-in min filter that also works as a function, allowing you to pass values either as a list or as separate arguments.
This is useful whenever you need to find the lowest reading among multiple sensorsSensors return information about a thing, for instance the level of water in a tank. [Learn more]. For example, you might want to find the coldest room in your house, the lowest battery level across all your devicesA device is a model representing a physical or logical unit that contains entities., or the minimum energy usage in a set of readings. You can also use it with expand to work with groups of entities.
Usage
Here’s how to use this template function. Copy any example and adjust it to your setup.
{{ min(21.5, 22.0, 19.8) }}
19.8
Function signature
The signature is a technical summary of this template function. It shows the name of the function, the values (called parameters) it accepts, and what type of data each parameter expects (for example, a piece of text or a number).
Function parameters that have a = with a value after them are optional. If you leave them out, the default value shown is used automatically. Function parameters without a default are required.
min(
*args: list | float,
) -> float
Function parameters
The following parameters can be provided to this function.
Good to know
- An empty list raises an error, so convert or filter out missing sensors first.
- Mixing strings and numbers in the input raises an error. Convert state strings with
floatfirst. - After a generator-producing filter like
map, add| listbefore usingminas a filter.
Try it yourself
Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Template, paste the example into the Template editor, and watch the result update on the right. Edit the values to see how the function adapts to your own entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more].
More examples
Real scenarios where this function comes up in automations and templates. Copy any example and adapt it to your setup.
Minimum sensor value
Find the lowest temperature across multiple rooms.
{{
min(
states("sensor.living_room_temperature") | float,
states("sensor.bedroom_temperature") | float,
states("sensor.kitchen_temperature") | float
)
}}
19.8
Minimum from a list
Pass a list directly to the function.
{{ min([21.5, 22.0, 19.8]) }}
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Minimum across a group of entities
If you have a groupGroups are a way to organize your entities into a single unit. [Learn more] of sensors, expand the group and find the smallest value.
{{
expand("group.indoor_temperatures")
| map(attribute="state")
| map("float")
| list
| min
}}
19.8
Still stuck?
The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with your template and expected result, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.
AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain or fix templates when you describe what you want in plain language.
Related template functions
These functions work well alongside this one:
-
Maximum value: max - Returns the largest value from a list of values.
-
Average (arithmetic mean): average - Calculates the arithmetic mean of a list of values.
-
Statistical median: median - Calculates the statistical median (middle value) of a list of values.
-
Clamp (constrain) a value: clamp - Constrains a value between a minimum and maximum bound.
-
Expand groups into entities: expand - Expands groups and zones into a sorted list of individual entity state objects.