by The tutorial explains how to use COUNTIFS and COUNTIF formulas with multiple criteria in Excel based on AND as well as OR logic. You will find a number of examples for different data types - numbers, dates, text, wildcard characters, non-blank cells and more.
Of all Excel functions, COUNTIFS and COUNTIF are probably most often mixed up because they look very much alike and both are purposed for counting cells based on the specified criteria.
The difference is that COUNTIF is designed for counting cells with a single condition in one range, whereas COUNTIFS can evaluate different criteria in the same or in different ranges. The aim of this tutorial is to demonstrate different approaches and help you choose the most efficient formula for each particular task.
Excel COUNTIFS function - syntax and usage
The Excel COUNTIFS function counts cells across multiple ranges based on one or several conditions. The function is available in Excel 365, 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, Excel 2010, and Excel 2007, so you can use the below examples in any Excel version.
COUNTIFS syntax
The syntax of the COUNTIFS function is as follows:
- criteria_range1 (required) - defines the first range to which the first condition (criteria1) shall be applied.
- criteria1 (required) - sets the condition in the form of a number, cell reference, text string, expression or another Excel function. The criteria defines which cells shall be counted and can be expressed as 10, "<=32", A6, "sweets".
- [criteria_range2, criteria2]… (optional) - these are additional ranges and their associated criteria. You can specify up to 127 range/criteria pairs in your formulas.
In fact, you don't have to remember the syntax of the COUNTIF function by heart. Microsoft Excel will display the function's arguments as soon as you start typing; the argument you are entering at the moment is highlighted in bold.
Excel COUNTIFS - things to remember!
- You can use the COUNTIFS function in Excel to count cells in a single range with a single condition as well as in multiple ranges with multiple conditions. If the latter, only those cells that meet all of the specified conditions are counted.
- Each additional range must have the same number of rows and columns as the first range (criteria_range1 argument).
- Both contiguous and non-contiguous ranges are allowed.
- If the criteria is a reference to an empty cell, the COUNTIFS function treats it as a zero value (0).
- You can use the wildcard characters in criteria - asterisk (*) and question mark (?). See this example for full details.
How to use COUNTIFS and COUNTIF with multiple criteria in Excel
Below you will find a number of formula examples that demonstrate how to use the COUNTIFS and COUNTIF functions in Excel to evaluate multiple conditions.
How to count cells with multiple criteria (AND logic)
This scenario is the easiest one, since the COUNTIFS function in Excel is designed to count only those cells for which all of the specified conditions are TRUE. We call it the AND logic, because Excel's AND function works this way.
Formula 1. COUNTIFS formula with multiple criteria
Suppose you have a product list like shown in the screenshot below. You want to get a count of items that are in stock (value in column B is greater than 0) but have not been sold yet (value is column C is equal to 0).
The task can be accomplished by using this formula:
=COUNTIFS(B2:B7,">0", C2:C7,"=0")
And the count is 2 ("Cherries" and "Lemons"):
Formula 2. COUNTIFS formula with two criteria
When you want to count items with identical criteria, you still need to supply each criteria_range / criteria pair individually.
For example, here's the right formula to count items that have 0 both in column B and column C:
=COUNTIFS($B$2:$B$7,"=0", $C$2:$C$7,"=0")
This COUNTIFS formula returns 1 because only "Grapes" have "0" value in both columns.
Using a simpler formula with a single criteria_range like COUNTIFS(B2:C7,"=0") would yield a different result - the total count of cells in the range B2:C7 containing a zero (which is 4 in this example).
How to count cells with multiple criteria (OR logic)
As you have seen in the above examples, counting cells that meet all of the specified criteria is easy because the COUNTIFS function is designed to work this way.
But what if you want to count cells for which at least one of the specified conditions is TRUE, i.e. based on the OR logic? Overall, there are two ways to do this - by adding up several COUNTIF formulas or using a SUM COUNTIFS formula with an array constant.
Formula 1. Add up two or more COUNTIF or COUNITFS formulas
In the table below, supposing you want to count orders with the "Cancelled" and "Pending" status. To have it doen, you can simply write 2 regular Countif formulas and add up the results:
=COUNTIF($C$2:$C$11,"Cancelled") + COUNTIF($C$2:$C$11,"Pending")
In case each of the functions is supposed to evaluate more than one condition, use COUNTIFS instead of COUNTIF. For example, to get the count of "Cancelled" and "Pending" orders for "Apples" use this formula:
=COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, "Apples", $C$2:$C$11,"Cancelled") + COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, "Apples", $C$2:$C$11,"Pending")
Formula 2. SUM COUNTIFS with an array constant
In situations when you have to evaluate a lot of criteria, the above approach is not the best way to go because your formula would grow too big in size. To perform the same calculations in a more compact formula, list all of your criteria in an array constant, and supply that array to the criteria argument of the COUNTIFS function. To get the total count, embed COUNTIFS inside the SUM function, like this:
In our sample table, to count orders with the status "Cancelled" or "Pending" or "In transit", the formula would go as follows:
=SUM(COUNTIFS($C$2:$C$11, {"cancelled", "pending", "in transit"}))
In a similar manner, you can count cells based on two or more criteria_range / criteria pairs. For instance, to get the number of "Apples" orders that are "Cancelled" or "Pending" or "In transit", use this formula:
=SUM(COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11,"apples",$C$2:$C$11,{"cancelled","pending","in transit"}))
You can find a few more ways to count cells with OR logic in this tutorial: Excel COUNTIF and COUNTIFS with OR conditions.
How to count numbers between 2 specified numbers
By and large, COUNTIFS formulas for numbers fall into 2 categories - based on several conditions (explained in the above examples) and between the two values you specify. The latter can be accomplished in two ways - by using the COUNTIFS function or by subtracting one COUNTIF from another.
Formula 1. COUNTIFS to count cells between two numbers
To find out how many numbers between 5 and 10 (not including 5 and 10) are contained in cells C2 through C10, use this formula:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C10,">5", C2:C10,"<10")
To include 5 and 10 in the count, use the "greater than or equal to" and "less than or equal to" operators:
=COUNTIFS(B2:B10,">=5", B2:B10,"<=10")
Formula 2. COUNTIF formulas to count numbers between X and Y
The same result can be achieved by subtracting one Countif formula from another. The first one counts how many numbers are greater than the lower bound value (5 in this example). The second formula returns the count of numbers that are greater than the upper bound value (10 in this case). The difference between the first and second number is the result you are looking for.
- =COUNTIF(C2:C10,">5")-COUNTIF(C2:C10,">=10") - counts how many numbers greater than 5 and less than 10 are in the range C2:C10. This formula will return the same count as shown in the screenshot above.
- =COUNTIF(C2:C10, ">=5")-COUNTIF(C2:C10, ">10") - the formula counts how many numbers between 5 and 10 are in the range C2:C10, including 5 and 10.
How to use cell references in COUNTIFS formulas
When using logical operators such as ">", "<", "<=" or ">=" together with cell references in your Excel COUNTIFS formulas, remember to enclose the operator in "double quotes" and
add an ampersand (&) before a cell reference to construct a text string.
In a sample dataset below, let's count "Apples" orders with amount greater than $200. With criteria_range1 in cells A2:A11 and criteria_range2 in B2:B11, you can use this formula:
=COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, "Apples", $B$2:$B$11, ">200")
Or, you can input your criteria values in certain cells, say F1 and F2, and reference those cells in your formula:
=COUNTIFS($A$2:$A$11, $F$1, $B$2:$B$11, ">"&$F$2)
Please notice the use of absolute cell references both in the criteria and criteria_range arguments, which prevents the formula from being broken when copied to other cells.
For more information about the use of an ampersand in COUNTIF and COUNTIFS formulas, please see Excel COUNTIF - frequently asked questions.
How to use COUNTIFS with wildcard characters
In Excel COUNTIFS formulas, you can use the following wildcard characters:
- Question mark (?) - matches any single character, use it to count cells starting and/or ending with certain characters.
- Asterisk (*) - matches any sequence of characters, you use it to count cells containing a specified word or a character(s) as part of the cell's contents.
Tip. If you want to count cells with an actual question mark or asterisk, type a tilde (~) before an asterisk or question mark.
Now let's see how you can use a wildcard char in real-life COUNTIFS formulas in Excel. Suppose, you have a list of projects in column A. You wish to know how many projects are already assigned to someone, i.e. have any name in column B. And because we are learning how to use the COUNTIFS function with multiple criteria, let's add a second condition - the End Date in column D should also be set.
Here is the formula that works a treat:
=COUNTIFS(B2:B10,"*",D2:D10,"<>"&""))
Please note, you cannot use a wildcard character in the 2nd criteria because you have dates rather that text values in column D. That is why, you use the criteria that finds non-blank cells: "<>"&""
COUNTIFS and COUNTIF with multiple criteria for dates
The COUNTIFS and COUNTIF formulas you use for dates are very much similar to the above formulas for numbers.
Example 1. Count dates in a specific date range
To count the dates that fall in a certain date range, you can also use either a COUNTIFS formula with two criteria or a combination of two COUNTIF functions.
For example, the following formulas count the number of dates in cells C2 through C10 that fall between 1-Jun-2014 and 7-Jun-2014, inclusive:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014", C2:C9, "<=6/7/2014")
=COUNTIF(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014") - COUNTIF(C2:C9, ">6/7/2014")
Example 2. Count dates with multiple conditions
In the same manner, you can use a COUNTIFS formula to count the number of dates in different columns that meet 2 or more conditions. For instance, the below formula will find out how many products were purchased after the 20th of May and delivered after the 1st of June:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">5/1/2014", D2:D9, ">6/7/2014")
Example 3. Count dates with multiple conditions based on the current date
You can use Excel's TODAY() function in combination with COUNTIF to count dates based on the current date.
For example, the following COUNTIF formula with two ranges and two criteria will tell you how many products have already been purchased but not delivered yet.
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, "<"&TODAY(), D2:D9, ">"&TODAY())
This formula allows for many possible variations. For instance, you can tweak it to count how many products were purchased more than a week ago and are not delivered yet:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, "<="&TODAY()-7, D2:D9, ">"&TODAY())
This is how you count cells with multiple criteria in Excel. I hope you will find these examples helpful. Anyway, I thank you for reading and hope to see you on our blog next week!
2039 comments
Excellent Example
I am trying to count the new number of impacted individuals for today (prefer, workdays), I also have a number of other criteria. This is the current formula I use to use to count the total number =COUNTIFS(AN2,"=*?*",P2,"=No",D2,"=Reserve"). I would like a way to count only the new ones added today. I have a entry date column in J2.
Thanks in advance
Hello!
Unfortunately, without seeing your data it hard to give you advice.
If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:
=COUNTIFS(AN:AN,”=*?*”,P:P,”=No”,D:D,”=Reserve”,J:J,TODAY())
In a range, is there any formula where i can pick
how many 1s, how many 2s, how many 3s etc... in one step
Hello!
The number of values that match a condition can be calculated using the COUNTIF function (read here).
Hello,
I am in need of assistance locating the right formula for my workbook.
in sheet1-I have a list of names, with a current fourmula " =COUNTIF('Element Core'!A2:A500,'Agent Assignment'!D41)" to capture how much data from each tab they are assigned too.
In sheet2-Shows the actual amount of cells each agent has been assigned to in column A, i would like to somehow divide the completed task in column B of sheet 2 to the total number they have been assigned to in sheet 1.
example
agent Name - # of cells Assigned too(from sheet 2)
Tom Jerry - 40
I would like to divide 40 by what the agent has already completed in sheet2 on column B.
Thank you.
Hello!
If I understand correctly, then you just need to divide the values from column A by the values from column B. I suppose that the number of completed tasks can be calculated with approximately the same formula as the number of assigned tasks. But there is no information in your question about this.
Please describe your problem in more detail. It’ll help me understand it better and find a solution for you.
Hi Alexander
Thanks - that works perfectly!
Adam
Hello
I have a table of data, on column of which is either ***, ** or * depending on the prioritisation of that row. If I now want to do a countifs function, how would I insert a condition that a row has *** for that specific criteria? I tried using a tilde, " " but cant get it right
Thanks!
Adam
Hello Adam!
To count the number of "***" values, add a tilde before each *
=COUNTIFS(K1:K40,"~*~*~*")
I hope it’ll be helpful.
Hi,
Can you provide your help regarding a specific formula:
I want to do a calculation in which I want to exclude character which lies in a sequence.
For example. I have 10 numbers: 1, 3, 5, 10, 2000, 2001, 2002, 3052, 3053, 3054.
Now, I want to count 1 and ignore 3, 5, 10 mean to ignore the up to 10 number in consective orders. Similiartly I want to count just 2001 and 3052 and want to ignore other number from counting. I have to do this calculation in up to 100K.
If you provide your help I will be very thankful.
Best
Abdullah
Hi
I have a data set where in row 2 I have headings of "Squad", "Mins", "Goals", "Assists" and these repeat several times across the row. I'm trying to find a formula which counts the number cells under any of the "Mins" columns which are greater than 0, but only when the number in the "Squad" column is greater than 11.
I can do a simple count of the first part (=COUNTIFS($N$2:$KG$2,"Mins",N41:KG41,">0") however I am unsure how to add the second part to only count this IF $N$2:$KG$2,"Squad",N41:KG41,">11".
Have you got any thoughts about how I can add this IF element? I have tried a few combinations but the best i get is a #VALUE! error. Any help much appreciated.
Hi,
I have two columns with huge number of data in it. Coulmn A has the list of applications and Column has the list of servers. Each application hits different servers . Want to know on the count of application per server using a formula.
My queson is to display the last entered number position and that will automatically change the value in another cell.
If suppose, in a column Sr.No. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 now the last no. is 7 if I enter 8,9,10,...the another which is having the reference will catch the latest entry inthis case 10 and update his cell value.
Hi,
I want to count how many times the value = "yes" in column F on data sheet.
this is fine, however, I want this to be date dependent criteria.
Count how many times "yes" appears within a date range specified on reporting sheet, G8 (start date) & J8 (end date).
The corresponding date for "Yes" column is in "g3" on the data sheet.
I currently have:
COUNTIFS(Data!F3:F68, "Yes") + COUNTIFS(Data!G3:G61,">="&Reporting!G8,Data!G3:G61,"<="&Reporting!J8)
But this is counting how many times "yes" appears AND how many times the date appears which is duplicating my data.
Thank you, Hope that makes sense!
Hi,I'm trying to use countifs statement to add 3 certain elements of a table if all are present.
My formula is =COUNTIFS(O24:O31,U24,P24:P31,AA36,J24:J30,AA36)
O23:O31 holds Yes/No
P24:P31 holds a number value
J24:J30 holds a number value
I'm happy with the ranges and the criteria are set values.
The formula works if you have any two elements i.e O24:O31 and J24:J30 or J24:J30 and P24:P30 however once i add the third element it does work.
any help would be appreciated
Hi, how to add any number to existing countif function. By automatically like countif(c1:g1,c82+2)
Ive got the syntax working for a single column
=COUNTIFS($C:$C,"*Mon*" & "*Jan*",$D:$D,1)
which gives me Mon, Jan, Employee 1
now I want to do
=COUNTIFS($C:$C,"*Mon*" & "*Jan*",
Mon, Jan, employee 2
$D:$E,1)
so Im now looking in two columns D:E for employee 2, but the syntax wont work. Any help please
Hello Susan!
You can use the COUNTIFS function. But уach additional range must have the same number of rows and columns as the criteria_range1 argument. The ranges do not have to be adjacent to each other. Please read the above article carefully.
Hi Could you please help me on how to count specific letter from all ODD column or even column?
Hello!
I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. For me to be able to help you better, please describe your task in more detail. Please specify what you were trying to find, what formula you used and what problem or error occurred. Give an example of the source data and the expected result.
It’ll help me understand it better and find a solution for you. Thank you.
please i have data set like
84
9
65
85
41
33
20
20
86
25
40
45
36
82
2
18
36
66
19
51
63
71
35
31
42
all i want to do is to get count for the first numbers only thanks!
Hello!
If I understand your task correctly, the following formula should work for you:
=SUM(--LEFT(A1:A20,1))
I hope this will help
Hi
I'm trying to set up spreadsheet for my darts team that records players' stats.I record their averages, high score and number of scores between set criteria, (ie, total number of scores below 19, 20-39, 40-59, etc.)
I need a formula to reference the player with their scores, within three or more games, so I don't have to do each separately
I hope this makes sense?
Best regards
John
Hello John!
I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me.
Please describe your problem in more detail. Include an example of the source data and the result you want to get. It’ll help me understand your request better and find a solution for you. Thank you.
Hi, I have a spreadsheet which has multiple dates in it, as well as multiple locations. It is for commencement of employees and tracking of probations.
There is a column for locations, as well as a column for programmed start date, actual start date, programmed completion date and actual completion date. I am tracking to identify one month late and three months late for both start and finish for all four locations. The current formula I am trying is: =COUNTIFS(Table4[OPU],"Cq",Table4[Probation Start Due Date],(DAYS(Table4[Probation Start Due Date],Table4[Probation Commenced]>30))), however it is not identifying any data. I would really appreciate some help.. cheers, Jo
Hello!
I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. Could you please describe it in more detail? What data do you calculate in your COUNTIFS formula? Give examples. Thank you!
Hi,
I need to use the countifs function where the reference range are values extracted through a formula. I do not want to change the reference value from formula to values. Could you help!
Thanks in advance!
Hello!
I’m sorry but your task is not entirely clear to me. For me to be able to help you better, please describe your task in more detail. Please specify what you were trying to find, what formula you used and what problem or error occurred. Give an example of the source data and the expected result.
It’ll help me understand it better and find a solution for you. Thank you.
Hi. I have a query.
I want to count how many times a certain thing was came among 2 columns, with two conditions.
Eg.
A= aa as ad af
B= 12 21 22 13
C= Dates day wise
I wanna count how many times AS was with 12 condition at a certain date from C.....
Anyone can help?
Hello!
I hope you have studied the recommendations in the above tutorial. Please specify detailed and accurate what you were trying to find, what formula you used and what problem or error occurred. It’ll help me understand the problem you faced better and help you.