Statistical
LOGNORM.DIST Function in Excel
Returns the lognormal distribution.
Syntax
- =LOGNORM.DIST(x, mean, standard_dev, cumulative)
Arguments
- x (required): Value to evaluate
- mean (required): Mean of ln(x)
- standard_dev (required): Standard deviation of ln(x)
- cumulative (required): TRUE for CDF, FALSE for PDF
Examples
- =LOGNORM.DIST(4, 3.5, 1.2, TRUE) - Lognormal CDF - Result: 0.039
LOGNORM.DIST for data analysis
- Confirm whether you need entire columns, filtered subsets, or distinct values.
- Use [COUNTIFS](/functions/countifs/) and [SUMIFS](/functions/sumifs/) for multi-criteria metrics.
- Pivot tables complement single-cell statistical formulas for exploration.
Common errors
- #NUM! if x <= 0
Use cases
- Stock prices
- Income distribution
- Reliability analysis
Frequently asked questions
- What is LOGNORM.DIST used for? LOGNORM.DIST calculates probabilities for lognormally distributed data - where the logarithm of values follows a normal distribution. Common applications include stock prices, income distributions, and product lifetimes where values are positive and right-skewed.
- When should I use lognormal vs normal distribution? Use lognormal when: values must be positive, data is right-skewed, values result from multiplicative processes (like compound returns). Stock prices, salaries, and city populations often follow lognormal distributions. Use normal for symmetric data that can be negative.
- What do the mean and standard_dev parameters represent? In LOGNORM.DIST, mean and standard_dev are parameters of the underlying normal distribution of ln(x), NOT the mean and stdev of x itself. If you have raw data, calculate these as AVERAGE(LN(data)) and STDEV(LN(data)).
Editorial review
- Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.