How to cap a percentage at 100% in Excel
Formula (Excel and Google Sheets)
=MIN(B2/C2,1)Wrap the ratio in MIN with 1, since 100% is 1: =MIN(B2/C2,1).
- Result on the example
- one result per row in
D2, filled down toD6 - Works in
- Every current version
- Google Sheets
- Same formula
See it work
The formula is already in D2, filled down to D6. Change any input and the result updates, or edit the formula to experiment.
How it works
100% is stored as the number 1. MIN returns the smaller of the ratio and 1, so anything above target becomes exactly 100% and anything below stays as it is. Ben (112%) and Eli (120%) are capped; Ana stays at 96.4%.
=MIN(B2/C2,1)Result0.964
B2$48,200The value in B2.
C2$50,000The value in C2.
B2/C20.964The / operator divides.
MIN(B2/C2,1)0.964MIN: Smallest number.- number1
B2/C20.964 - number2
1
- number1
In Google Sheets
The same formula works in Google Sheets: =MIN(B2/C2,1). We ran it in Google Sheets mode on the same data and it returns the same results.
Other ways to do it
Each one was run on the same example sheet.
| Formula | Result | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| =IF(B2/C2>1,1,B2/C2) | 96.4%, 100.0%, 66.5%… | The same cap written as IF; easier to read for some, but it calculates the ratio twice. |
| =B2/C2 | 96.4%, 112.3%, 66.5%…Different result | The uncapped attainment. Shows Ben at 112.3% and Eli at 120%. |
Common mistakes
=MIN(B2/C2,100)doesn't cap anything: 100 is 10,000%. Use 1 or 100%.- Capping changes averages: the average of capped attainments understates how far the team beat its targets. Keep an uncapped column for analysis.
Try it yourself
Same data, empty answer cell. Your formula is graded instantly, then re-checked on changed data, so a typed-in number won't pass.
Cap a percentage at 100%
D2, calculate sales as a percentage of target, capped at 100%, then fill down to D6.Questions
How do I keep a percentage between 0% and 100%?
Use MAX and MIN together: =MAX(0,MIN(B2/C2,1)).
How do I cap at 120% instead?
Use 1.2: =MIN(B2/C2,120%).
Checked by running on 2026-10-30: every formula and result on this page was calculated by the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine, in both Excel and Google Sheets modes.