Excel has a dedicated function to calculate the natural logarithm of a number: the LN function.
While not as common, this is a useful function for many Excel users working with scientific, engineering, statistics, or financial data.
In this article, I will show you how to use the LN function to calculate the natural log value in Excel.
Follow along with the example file
LN Function Examples.xlsx
Excel LN Function – Syntax
Below is the syntax of the LN function in Excel:
=LN(number)
where the number is the argument where you provide the positive number for which you want to calculate the natural log value. This could also be a cell reference that contains the number.
The LN function can only take positive numbers as arguments. If you use zero or a negative number within this function, it returns the #NUM! error.
The natural logarithm is the logarithm to the base of the mathematical constant e (called Euler’s number with an approximate value of 2.71828).
In mathematics, the natural logarithm is the power to which e must be raised to obtain a given positive value. For example, LN(10) is approximately 2.302585, so e raised to that power is approximately 10.
Calculating Natural Log in Excel
Now, let me show you an example of how to use the LN function.
Below, I have a data set where I have some numbers in column A, and I want to calculate their natural log value and get the result in column B:
The following formula would do this:
=LN(A2)
Enter this formula in cell B2, and then copy it for all the other cells in the column.
If you have Excel 365 or Excel 2021, you can enter this single formula in cell D2 instead:
=LN(A2:A6)
Here are a couple of interesting things to note:
- The natural log of the number 1 is 0 (as e raised to power 0 would give us 1)
- In cell A3, I have an approximation of e, 2.718281828. Its natural log is very close to 1 and displays as 1 after rounding. The natural log of e itself is exactly 1.
Interesting Fact: The LN function in Excel is the inverse of the EXP function, which takes a number and gives us e raised to the power of that number. So if I use =LN(EXP(10)), it would give me the result as 10.
Another similar function in Excel is the LOG function that returns the logarithm of a given number using the base you specify in the formula.
In this article, I showed you how to use the Excel LN function to calculate the natural log of values.
I hope you found this article helpful.
If you have any questions about the Excel LN function or if you have any suggestions for me, do let me know in the comments section.
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