What is the difference between ln, lg and log?

ln is the natural logarithm to base e (about 2.71828) and lg is the common logarithm to base 10. Plain “log” depends on context: maths textbooks often mean lg, Math.log in most languages is ln, and computer science usually means log₂ — so all three are listed separately here.

How do I compute a base 2 logarithm?

Set the base to 2 (or use the shortcut button) and enter the value. By hand you can use the change of base: log₂ x = ln x / ln 2 = lg x / lg 2.

Why can the base not be 1 or negative?

Any power of 1 is 1, so it could never produce another number, and a negative base jumps around outside the real numbers. That is why the base must satisfy b > 0 and b ≠ 1.

Why must the value be positive?

A positive base raised to any real power is positive, so log_b(x) is only defined for x > 0. As x approaches 0 the logarithm heads to negative infinity.

How do I solve something like 2^x = 100?

Switch to “Solve b^x = y”, set the base to 2 and the right-hand side to 100. The answer is x = log₂100 ≈ 6.6439 — the same as taking logarithms of both sides.

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㏒Logarithm Calculator - log, ln, lg and Any Base Online (Change of Base)

Enter a base and a value to get log_b(x), with the natural log ln, the common log lg and log₂ listed next to it and the change-of-base formula written out. You can also go the other way and compute bˣ, or solve an exponential equation b^x = y.

Free · No sign-up · Runs in your browserLast updated: 2026-10-26

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How to use Logarithm Calculator

1Pick a mode: logarithm, power bˣ, or solve b^x = y
2Enter the base b and the value x (shortcuts for 2, 10, e and 0.5)
3Read the result — the check row raises b back to that power to confirm it
4Use the plot link to see y = log_b(x) or y = bˣ

FAQ

What is the difference between ln, lg and log?: ln is the natural logarithm to base e (about 2.71828) and lg is the common logarithm to base 10. Plain “log” depends on context: maths textbooks often mean lg, Math.log in most languages is ln, and computer science usually means log₂ — so all three are listed separately here.
How do I compute a base 2 logarithm?: Set the base to 2 (or use the shortcut button) and enter the value. By hand you can use the change of base: log₂ x = ln x / ln 2 = lg x / lg 2.
Why can the base not be 1 or negative?: Any power of 1 is 1, so it could never produce another number, and a negative base jumps around outside the real numbers. That is why the base must satisfy b > 0 and b ≠ 1.
Why must the value be positive?: A positive base raised to any real power is positive, so log_b(x) is only defined for x > 0. As x approaches 0 the logarithm heads to negative infinity.
How do I solve something like 2^x = 100?: Switch to “Solve b^x = y”, set the base to 2 and the right-hand side to 100. The answer is x = log₂100 ≈ 6.6439 — the same as taking logarithms of both sides.