Math.log()

The Math.log() function returns the natural logarithm (base e) of a number, that is

x>0,Math.log(x)=ln(x)=the uniqueysuch thatey=x\forall x > 0, \mathtt{\operatorname{Math.log}(x)} = \ln(x) = \text{the unique} \; y \; \text{such that} \; e^y = x

The JavaScript Math.log() function is equivalent to ln(x) in mathematics.

Syntax

Math.log(x)

Parameters

x
A number.

Return value

The natural logarithm (base e) of the given number. If the number is negative, NaN is returned.

Description

If the value of x is 0, the return value is always -Infinity.

If the value of x is negative, the return value is always NaN.

Because log() is a static method of Math, you always use it as Math.log(), rather than as a method of a Math object you created (Math is not a constructor).

If you need the natural log of 2 or 10, use the constants Math.LN2 or Math.LN10 . If you need a logarithm to base 2 or 10, use Math.log2() or Math.log10() . If you need a logarithm to other bases, use Math.log(x) / Math.log(otherBase) as in the example below; you might want to precalculate 1 / Math.log(otherBase) .

Examples

Using Math.log()

Math.log(-1); // NaN, out of range
Math.log(0);  // -Infinity
Math.log(1);  // 0
Math.log(10); // 2.302585092994046

Using Math.log() with a different base

The following function returns the logarithm of y with base x (ie. logxy\log_x y):

function getBaseLog(x, y) {
  return Math.log(y) / Math.log(x);
}

If you run getBaseLog(10, 1000) it returns 2.9999999999999996 due to floating-point rounding, which is very close to the actual answer of 3.

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.log' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
logChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1IE Full support 3Opera Full support 3Safari Full support 1WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support 10.1Safari iOS Full support 1Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0nodejs Full support 0.1.100

Legend

Full support
Full support

See also