Quick Navigation
LOGNORM.INV Function
Summary
The LOGNORM.INV function returns the inverse of the lognormal cumulative distribution function. It finds the value x where the natural log of x follows a normal distribution with specified mean and standard deviation, given a particular probability.
Syntax
LOGNORM.INV(probability, mean, standard_dev)Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| probability | Number |
Yes | Probability value between 0 and 1 associated with the lognormal distribution |
| mean | Number |
Yes | Arithmetic mean of ln(x) |
| standard_dev | Number |
Yes | Standard deviation of ln(x) |
Using the LOGNORM.INV Function
LOGNORM.INV is used in statistical analysis for lognormally distributed data, such as stock prices, certain biological measurements, and time-to-failure data. It pairs with LOGNORM.DIST to complete the lognormal distribution toolkit, enabling percentile calculations and inverse probability computations.
Common LOGNORM.INV Examples
Basic Inverse Lognormal Calculation
=LOGNORM.INV(0.039084, 3.5, 1.2)Returns approximately 4.0000252, the value x where P(X≤x) = 0.039084 for ln(x) ~ N(3.5, 1.2)
Financial Percentile Analysis
=LOGNORM.INV(0.95, 0.08, 0.25)Calculates the 95th percentile return for lognormally distributed investment returns
Manufacturing Quality Control
=LOGNORM.INV(A1, B1, C1)Finds the part dimension where only specified probability falls below threshold
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Errors and Solutions
#VALUE!
Cause: Any argument is non-numeric
Solution: Ensure all inputs are valid numbers
#NUM!
Cause: probability ≤ 0 or ≥ 1
Solution: Use probability strictly between 0 and 1
#NUM!
Cause: standard_dev ≤ 0
Solution: Standard deviation must be positive
Notes
- Always returns positive values since lognormal distributions model positive data
- Mathematical relation: If p = LOGNORM.DIST(x,...), then LOGNORM.INV(p,...) = x
- Ideal for modeling multiplicative processes and percentage changes
- Computationally intensive; may slow large datasets
Compatibility
Available in: Excel 2010, Excel 2013, Excel 2016, Excel 2019, Excel 2021, Microsoft 365
Not available in: Excel 2007, Excel 2003, Earlier versions
Content last reviewed: December 9, 2025
Update frequency: As needed
Excel versions tested: Excel 2010+