# How to sum the top 3 values in Excel

Use LARGE with an array of ranks inside SUM: =SUM(LARGE(range,{1,2,3})).

**Excel:** `=SUM(LARGE(B2:B8,{1,2,3}))` (Every current version)

**Google Sheets:** the same formula works.

## Example

Sample data (row 1 is the header):

| A | B | C | D |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Store | Q3 sales |  | Top 3 total |
| Austin | 48200 |  |  |
| Boston | 61750 |  |  |
| Chicago | 57300 |  |  |
| Denver | 39800 |  |  |
| Miami | 66400 |  |  |
| Portland | 44150 |  |  |
| Seattle | 59900 |  |  |

Formula in E1: `=SUM(LARGE(B2:B8,{1,2,3}))`

Result: $188,050

## How it works

`LARGE(B2:B8,{1,2,3})` returns the 1st, 2nd and 3rd largest values together, and SUM adds them. The braces are an array constant: one formula asks for three ranks at once.

## Other ways

- `=SUMPRODUCT(LARGE(B2:B8,{1,2,3}))`: SUMPRODUCT handles the array without special entry in older versions of Excel.
- `=LARGE(B2:B8,1)+LARGE(B2:B8,2)+LARGE(B2:B8,3)`: Longer, but easy to read and works everywhere.

## Common mistakes

- If the list has fewer values than the ranks you ask for, LARGE returns #NUM!.
- Ties are counted separately: two stores tied for third both count only once each, so the top 3 are still exactly three values.

## Questions

**How do I sum the top N with N in a cell?**

In Excel 365 or Google Sheets use SEQUENCE: `=SUM(LARGE(B2:B8,SEQUENCE(E2)))`.

**How do I sum the bottom 3?**

Use SMALL instead of LARGE: `=SUM(SMALL(B2:B8,{1,2,3}))`.

Every formula and result on this page was checked by running it in the Spreadsheet Practice formula engine on 2026-10-29.

Source: https://spreadsheetpractice.com/formulas/sum-top-3-values