Sass min() Function

Posted in Sass Tutorial

Updated on Sep 30, 2024

By Mari Selvan

👁️ 19 - Views

⏳ 4 mins

💬 1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

🙋 Introduction

The min() function in Sass is a utility function used to return the smallest value among a list of numbers or other comparable values.

This function is especially useful when working with responsive design, calculating dimensions, or determining the smallest size from multiple options.

💡 Syntax

The min() function is straightforward in its syntax. It accepts a comma-separated list of values and returns the minimum value.

Syntax

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min(value1, value2, ...)

🔢 Parameters

value1, value2, ...:: A list of two or more values to compare. These values can be numbers, lengths (like px, em, rem), percentages, or any other values that can be compared.

↩️ Return Value

The min() function returns the smallest value from the provided list.

📝 Example Usage

Let’s explore some examples to understand how the min() function can be applied in different scenarios.

📜 Example 1: Finding the Minimum of Two Values

example.scss

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$width1: 300px;
$width2: 250px;

.container {
  width: min($width1, $width2); // Returns 250px
}

In this example, the container will have a width of 250px, which is the smaller of the two provided widths.

📜 Example 2: Minimum of Multiple Values

example.scss

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$size1: 50%;
$size2: 200px;
$size3: 10rem;

.box {
  width: min($size1, $size2, $size3); // Returns the smallest value among the three
}

Here, the width of the .box will be set to the smallest value among 50%, 200px, and 10rem.

📜 Example 4: Responsive Design with min()

example.scss

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.container {
  width: min(100%, 600px);
}

In this example, the container's width will be 100% unless the viewport width exceeds 600px, in which case it will be capped at 600px. This is a common pattern in responsive design.

📜 Example 4: Using min() with Calculations

example.scss

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$base-padding: 20px;
$extra-padding: 5px;

.header {
  padding: min($base-padding + $extra-padding, 30px); // Returns 25px
}

This example shows how min() can be used in combination with calculations. The padding will be set to the smaller value between 25px and 30px.

🎉 Conclusion

The min() function in Sass is a simple yet powerful tool for determining the smallest value among a set of comparable options. Its ability to handle various types of values and even perform calculations makes it extremely versatile in a wide range of use cases. From responsive design to dynamic calculations, understanding and utilizing min() can significantly improve your ability to write flexible, efficient, and maintainable styles.

Incorporate the min() function into your Sass workflow to enhance your control over layout, sizing, and overall design precision. Experiment with different values and contexts to fully grasp its potential and applicability in your projects.