SUMIF in Google Sheets adds up the cells that meet one condition, written as =SUMIF(range, criterion, sum_range). For example, SUMIF(A1:A10,"Paid",B1:B10) totals column B for every row where column A says Paid, and SUMIF(A1:A10,">20") totals the values in A1:A10 that are above 20.
Here's the catch. SUMIF can only perform conditional sums with a single criterion. Google's own SUMIF article points you to the database function DSUM for multiple criteria, while SUMIFS is the function built to handle more than one condition, and it puts its arguments in a different order.
SUMIF, SUMIFS and SUMPRODUCT compared
| Function | Syntax | Conditions | Sample from Google's help |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUMIF | SUMIF(range, criterion, sum_range) | One only | SUMIF(A1:A10,"Paid",B1:B10) |
| SUMIFS | SUMIFS(sum_range, criteria_range1, criterion1, and further pairs) | One or more | SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, ">20", C1:C10, "<30") |
| SUMPRODUCT | SUMPRODUCT(array1, array2 and so on) | None, it multiplies then adds | SUMPRODUCT(A2:C5,D2:F5) |
| DSUM | A database function | Several, with a SQL-like query | Named in the SUMIF article for multiple criteria |
Writing a SUMIF formula
- Choose the range to test, such as A1:A10. Sheets checks each cell in it against your criterion.
- Write the criterion. Put text in quotation marks, like "Paid". For numbers, use a number on its own or a string with an operator, like ">20".
- Add sum_range if the numbers you want to add sit in a different column, such as B1:B10. Leave it out and SUMIF adds the tested range itself.
- Keep the tested range and sum_range the same size, so each tested cell lines up with the value it adds to the total.
That last step matters because SUMIF works row by row. If A1 passes the test, B1 is added; if A2 passes, B2 is added, and so on down the column.
How SUMIF reads text and number criteria
Google's SUMIF article spells out rules most guides skip, as of October 2026.
| If the range contains | The criterion can be | How cells are checked |
|---|---|---|
| Text | A string only, in quotation marks | Each cell is checked for equality, or a match if wildcards are used |
| Numbers | A number, or a string containing a number | Each cell is checked for equality with the criterion |
| Numbers | A number prefixed with =, > or < | Equal to, greater than or less than the criterion value |
Wildcards for partial text matches
A text criterion can use two wildcards. A question mark matches any single character, and an asterisk matches zero or more contiguous characters. So a criterion like "Pa*" would catch Paid and Pending, while "?aid" would catch Paid and Raid but not Prepaid.
If you need to match a real question mark or asterisk, put a tilde in front of it: ~? and ~*. To match a tilde itself, use two tildes, ~~. Without the tilde, SUMIF treats those characters as wildcards, which is a common reason a total comes out bigger than expected.
COUNTIF uses the same pattern to count matching cells instead of adding them, and here's my walkthrough on COUNTIF in Google Sheets if that's what you're after.
Adding a second condition with SUMIFS
SUMIFS returns the sum of a range depending on multiple criteria. The difference that catches people is order: in SUMIF the range to add comes last and is optional, but in SUMIFS the sum_range comes first and is required. After it you list each criteria range followed by its criterion. Google's samples:
- SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, ">20") adds A where B is above 20.
- SUMIFS(A1:A10, B1:B10, ">20", C1:C10, "<30") only adds rows where B is above 20 and C is below 30.
- SUMIFS(C1:C100, E1:E100, "Yes") adds column C wherever column E says Yes.
If you also work in Excel, my guide to SUMIFS in Excel covers that version.
Where SUMPRODUCT and the Sum box fit
SUMPRODUCT calculates the sum of the products of corresponding entries in two equally sized arrays or ranges. SUMPRODUCT(A2:C5,D2:F5) multiplies each cell in the first block by the matching cell in the second and adds the results, and SUMPRODUCT({1,2,3,4},{5,6,7,8}) does the same with typed arrays. If you give it one array, the second defaults to a run of 1s the same length, so it simply adds the first. Google also notes that matrix multiplication, MMULT, can be done with a combination of TRANSPOSE and SUMPRODUCT.
Google's SUMIF and SUMIFS articles list a few related functions worth knowing, as of October 2026:
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- SUMSQ returns the sum of the squares of a series of numbers or cells.
- PRODUCT returns the result of multiplying a series of numbers together.
- ADD, MINUS, MULTIPLY and DIVIDE do the same job as the +, -, * and / operators.
- SUMIF and SUMIFS each have a BigQuery version too, listed on their help pages.
For a quick total with no formula, highlight the cells and look in the bottom right of Google Sheets, where you'll see Sum: and the total. Click it to see Average, Minimum, Maximum, Count and Count numbers. Google notes it doesn't work for some number or currency formats. For every other way to add up a column, here's how to sum in Google Sheets.
When I'd use SUMIF and when I wouldn't
I'd use SUMIF for any total with one rule, like everything marked Paid or every value over a cut-off. The moment there's a second rule, I'd go straight to SUMIFS rather than trying to stretch SUMIF, and I'd put the sum range first. Watch your wildcards: if a total looks too high, check whether a question mark or asterisk in the criterion is matching more than you meant, and add a tilde.
Frequently asked questions
Can SUMIF use more than one criterion in Google Sheets?
No. SUMIF can only perform conditional sums with a single criterion. Use SUMIFS, or the database function DSUM, for multiple criteria.
Is sum_range required in SUMIF?
No. sum_range is the range to be summed if it's different from the tested range. Leave it out and SUMIF adds the tested range.
Can SUMIF match part of a word?
Yes. A text criterion can use a question mark to match any single character or an asterisk to match zero or more contiguous characters.
How do I match a real asterisk in SUMIF?
Put a tilde in front of it, as in ~*. Use ~? for a question mark and ~~ for a tilde.
What's the argument order in SUMIFS?
SUMIFS puts sum_range first, then each criteria range followed by its criterion.
What does SUMPRODUCT do in Google Sheets?
SUMPRODUCT calculates the sum of the products of corresponding entries in two equally sized arrays or ranges.
