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
Ah. no it didn't. Waste of time!!
Jamie,
Sorry for this, none of the blog engines we've tried is perfect.
As for the formula, you should not use cell addresses inside the quotes, otherwise Excel interprets them as mere text strings. For example, instead of "<=C1" you write "<="&C1.
Try the following formulas:
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014", C2:C9, C1)
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014", C2:C9, "<="&C1)
That last post missed a whole chunk of something I wrote so it now probably doesn't make sense...
I meant: From this
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014", C2:C9, "=C1","=C1","<=C3")
Hope that makes more sense and posts what I wrote.....
Hi, Looking at the COUNTIFS with multiple criteria for dates....
Is there an adjustment I can make to this formula.....
=COUNTIFS(C2:C9, ">=6/1/2014", C2:C9, "=C1","<=C2"
So, translation - "count everything here, that match this, between this date and that date".
I need this to make it more user friendly than expecting people to manually adjust a formula in a cell.
Either in the formula or with VBA?
Thanks!
Hi,
I have a spreadsheet i am trying to count how many times a value (i.e. 3) occurs within cells E8:G380 when the text value in column D is ABC. If I use: =COUNTIFS(D8:D380, "ABC", E8:G380, "3") it returns a value error. Excel also only allows me to use two countif or countifs functions per cell.
Any help is appreciated!
Thank you!
Hi Elodia,
All ranges of the COUNTIFS function must be of the same size, i.e. must have the same number of rows and columns. You can use the following formula instead:
=COUNTIFS(D8:D380, "ABC", E8:E380, "3")+ COUNTIFS(D8:D380, "ABC", F8:F380, "3")+ COUNTIFS(D8:D380, "ABC", G8:G380, "3")
Dear Sir/Mam,I wanna to count objects in different cells of the same row/col., I have try so many defferent formulas,but I fail to do so,Help me.
My Question is to add defferent cells of same row/col.
Example:- Count objects in C1,C5,C10,C15..........,there is no range like c1:c15,so plz help me.
i have 500 account number
how to search double
Col.A Col.B
1 A
2 B
3 C
4 A
5 D
6 C
7 A
8 B
9 D
I would like to extract from above table in a separate table like bellow the corresponding values with comma.
Col.B Col.A
A 1, 4, 7
B 2, 8
C 3, 6
D 5, 9
Thank you in advance!
dear team
my problem is tat a cell contains a value in general format as for eg; 2085 when i count using this countif formula the value does not get matched up and doesnt return 1 to me simply as zero
When i entered into that cell it contains some extra characters as space if i try to delete that space and put enter the last value i.e from "2085" 5 has been truncated and im left with 208
can u pls help me
let's say i have 200 names in column with some names repeated in the list. How can i get the count other than 2 specific name?
Is there not an easier formula to use to count all the cells within a column with a value that is a multiple of 5, other than:
=COUNTIF(X4:X41,5)+COUNTIF(X4:X41,10)+COUNTIF(X4:X41,15)
Listing every multiple of 5 is not even possible so surely there is another way??
PLEASE help if possible......somebody....anybody? -Thanks! :)
i want to count if enter one score (numbers) for one day for one employee and need to count if enter next whenever coming days that figure need to added
I am trying to count two criteria. One column is counting all "New" occurances if column two is equal to a range of 15 different zip codes. I know I can countifs (a2:a20,"NEw",....) but the second criteria is d2:d20,g1:g16. I have put G1:g16 in as an "or" condition but keep getting a "0" count. Basically I want the thing to countif a2:a20 is new and d2:d20 "is one of" several different numbers. I was trying to do it without a lengthy formula referencing each number in its own countifs formula. Can you help?
please advise how to use countif formula to use =COUNTIF(B6:B51, $A$54)/COUNTA(B6:B51)- every day i need to add one coloumn in B5. however it should automatically calculate this week as B5:B52, but B5 is not getting calculated.. Thankyou
A B C
1 Start Finish Days Open
2 12/10/2014 12/13/2014 3
3 12/15/2014 12/16/2014 2
4 12/16/2014
I am using =NETWORKDAYS(A2,B2) for days open
How can i modify the above formula so it will pickup Todays's date if there is no date in B5.
Can anybody help ASAP with that.........
Hi,
could you please advice, how to use formula if J8 contains multiple score with texts to be match with L8 (contains scoring 1,2,3). So I want if I choose/click J8 then L8 will displaying match score. Thank you
Hi,
How are you, please help me to my below problem.
Which formula should I use from multiple condition but value will be text.
For example: =SUMIFS(A:A,B:B,"Line",C:C,"Date")
result factor=205 (suppose).
But I want to the result "text", no "digit".
So, how will I get the result "in word".....
Please help me if you cooperated me.....
Thanks in advance
Hi i've been driven mad by excel today I hope you can help.
I'm trying to make a critera with COUNTIF statement before my SUM value kicks in.
As you can see the calculation works on anything less than 12 I'm trying to get cell K15 to stop counting after 12 unfortunatley K15 will have data larger than 12 so 12 would be capped if you like. is this possible?
=COUNTIF(K15,"<13")*SUM(J15/52*4,(J15/52*K15))
Any help would be appreciated
Hi there, I'm very sure my problem will be easily fixed by one of your Excel aficionados but I'm intermediate level at best. I have complied a huge roster. I had 6 dentists and we've just taken on another 2. In the past I have manually adjusted the surgery number up to our max of 6. This has now increased to a max of 8. Can I use a countif to calculate the number of surgeries in use using the Dentists initials as criteria and increasing in increments up to 8? Rather than entering these numbers manually and adjusting if someone goes on leave etc?
ie
1 TT 2 SL 3 AB 4 JM 5 TL 6 JD ?CB ?PD
Am I just overlooking the obvious, or is there just not an easier formula to use to count all the cells within a column with a value that is a multiple of 5, other than:
=COUNTIF(X4:X41,5)+COUNTIF(X4:X41,10)+COUNTIF(X4:X41,15)
Listing every multiple of 5 is not even possible so surely there is another way??
PLEASE PLEASE help - even if the answer is simply "no". -Thanks!
Hi There,
I would be deeply grateful if anyone can help me with my issues!!!
I am trying to set up my spreadsheet to enable me to calculate how many "1's" fall on the month of january.
E.G
Date Error Code(s)
01/01/2015 1
02/01/2015 1
03/01/2015 1
04/01/2015 1
05/01/2015 1
06/01/2015 1
07/01/2015 1
The idea is, I will have a break down of the error codes for each month!
I've been trying all sorts of COUNTIF formulas but have had no luck!
Please help, I'd be eternally thankful...
Dell kiran 200
Dell sameer 400
Dell kiran 300
Hp amol 200
Zenith mohsin 500
Dell =countif ans 3
I want to calculate the data based on column b but calculate data form d column.I want answer if there is three dell record I want count the data
from d column that answer Is three based on dell records.
which functions is use for calculation
please help me