BeginnerCounting
Syntax
=COUNTIF(range, criteria)| Argument | What it means |
|---|---|
range | The cells to look at. |
criteria | The condition: a word like "Pen", a number, or an operator with a number like ">10". Use * as a wildcard: "N*" matches anything starting with N. |
Examples with results
Every result below is calculated by the practice engine on the sample data shown, not typed in by hand.
Office supplies sales (fictional)
| Row | A | B | C | D | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Qty | Unit price | Region | Date |
| 2 | Pen | 10 | 1.5 | North | 2025-01-15 |
| 3 | Notebook | 5 | 12 | South | 2025-02-03 |
| 4 | Pen | 20 | 1.5 | South | 2025-02-28 |
| 5 | Stapler | 2 | 40 | North | 2025-03-10 |
| 6 | Folder | 15 | 3.25 | East | 2025-03-22 |
| 7 | Notebook | 8 | 12 | East | 2025-04-05 |
| 8 | Pen | 12 | 1.5 | North | 2025-04-18 |
| 9 | Marker | 30 | 2 | South | 2025-05-02 |
=COUNTIF(A2:A9,"Pen")How many Pen orders
=COUNTIF(B2:B9,">10")Orders of more than 10 units
=COUNTIF(D2:D9,"N*")Regions starting with N
Try it yourself
Change the formula or switch to other sample data.
Press Calculate to see the result.
The practice box runs in your browser with BDK’s own calculator, which covers about 60 common functions. Cell references work as in Excel (B2, B2:B9). Your formulas are not saved or sent anywhere. For anything unusual, check the result in Excel itself.
How people use COUNTIF at work
- HR
How many people work in Sales.
Data: Team list (fictional)=COUNTIF(B2:B8,"Sales") - Operations
How many products hold fewer than 10 units?
Data: Stock levels (fictional)=COUNTIF(C2:C6,"<10")
Common mistakes and tips
- Put operators in quotes with the number: ">10", not >10.
- COUNTIF is not case sensitive: "pen" and "Pen" match.
- Use COUNTIFS when you have more than one condition.
Works in
All versions of Excel, and Google Sheets.
Lessons that use it
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