LOG10
Math & Trig
Returns the base-10 (common) logarithm of a positive number.
Translations
EnglishLOG10
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ItalianLOG10
PortugueseLOG10
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PolishLOG10
RussianLOG10
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CzechLOG10
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DanishLOG10
FinnishLOG10
Syntax
LOG10(number)Arguments
numberThe positive real number for which you want the base-10 logarithm.
Examples
=LOG10(100)2
10² = 100
=LOG10(1000)3
10³ = 1000
=LOG10(0.1)-1
10⁻¹ = 0.1
Tips & Best Practices
- •Returns #NUM! if number ≤ 0
- •LOG10(x) is equivalent to LOG(x, 10)
- •Used in pH, decibel, and Richter scale calculations
Common Mistakes
- •Confusing LOG10 with LOG or LN - LOG10 is fixed specifically to base 10, while LOG defaults to base 10 but can be changed, and LN is fixed to base e, so mixing them up for a specific calculation is an easy error
- •Applying LOG10 to zero or a negative number, which returns a #NUM! error since logarithms are only defined for positive numbers
- •Using LOG10 when the underlying calculation actually needs a different base, forgetting that LOG(number,base) offers more flexibility for anything other than base 10
Related Functions
LOGCalculates a logarithm with any specified base, of which LOG10 is essentially a shortcut for the base-10 case.LNCalculates the natural logarithm (base e), a different fixed base than LOG10's base of 10.EXPPerforms a related inverse operation, though specifically for the natural logarithm rather than base 10.Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between LOG10 and LOG?
LOG10 is a shortcut specifically for base-10 logarithms. LOG can calculate a logarithm with any base you specify, defaulting to 10 if you don't provide one - so LOG10(x) and LOG(x,10) are equivalent.
Why does LOG10 return #NUM!?
The input is zero or negative - logarithms are only defined for positive numbers.
When should I use LOG10 instead of LOG?
LOG10 is clearer and slightly more concise when you specifically need a base-10 logarithm, which is common in contexts like measuring orders of magnitude or decibel calculations.
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