Quick Navigation

LOGNORMDIST Function

Excel 2007+, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 365

Summary

The LOGNORMDIST function calculates the cumulative lognormal distribution for a specified value, where the natural logarithm of the value follows a normal distribution with given mean and standard deviation parameters. Ideal for modeling skewed positive data like stock prices, asset returns, and time-to-failure analysis.

Syntax

LOGNORMDIST(x, mean, standard_dev)

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Description
x	`Number`	Yes	The positive value at which to evaluate the lognormal distribution
mean	`Number`	Yes	The arithmetic mean of the natural logarithm of x (μ parameter)
standard_dev	`Number`	Yes	The standard deviation of the natural logarithm of x (σ parameter)

Using the LOGNORMDIST Function

LOGNORMDIST is used when data follows a lognormal distribution - common for positive skewed datasets. The function returns the probability that a lognormally distributed random variable is less than or equal to x. Use it for pricing options, calculating Value at Risk, or modeling growth processes.

Common LOGNORMDIST Examples

Basic Lognormal Distribution

=LOGNORMDIST(4, 3.5, 1.2)

Returns 0.0390836 - cumulative probability that lognormal variable ≤ 4 with μ=3.5, σ=1.2

Stock Price Probability

=LOGNORMDIST(100, LN(95), 0.2)

Probability that stock price reaches $100 given current $95 with 20% volatility

Time to Failure Analysis

=LOGNORMDIST(500, 6, 0.3)

Probability equipment fails before 500 hours with median 403 hours

Frequently Asked Questions

LOGNORMDIST models positive skewed data where LN(X) is normally distributed, unlike NORMDIST which assumes normal distribution directly.

Yes, Microsoft recommends LOGNORM.DIST for better accuracy and clarity. LOGNORMDIST remains for backward compatibility.

Returns #NUM! error. Lognormal distributions only defined for positive values.

Common Errors and Solutions

#VALUE!

Cause: Non-numeric input for any argument

Solution: Ensure all parameters contain valid numbers

#NUM!

Cause: x ≤ 0 or standard_dev ≤ 0

Solution: Use only positive values for x and standard_dev

Unexpected small values

Cause: Very large standard_dev values

Solution: Verify parameters represent realistic log-transformed statistics

Notes

Replaced by LOGNORM.DIST(x,mean,standard_dev,TRUE) for cumulative distribution
Lognormal distribution: if LN(X) ~ N(μ,σ²) then X ~ Lognormal(μ,σ²)
Common in Black-Scholes option pricing
Given mean μ and std σ, median = EXP(μ), mode = EXP(μ-σ²)

Compatibility

Available in: Excel 2007+, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 365

Not available in: Excel 2003 and earlier

Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2007+, Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 365