Math & Trig

SINH Function in Excel

Returns the hyperbolic sine of a number.

Syntax

  • =SINH(number)

Arguments

  • number (required): Any real number

Examples

  • =SINH(1) - Hyperbolic sine of 1 - Result: 1.175

SINH in reporting workflows

  • Use absolute references when copying formulas across rows.
  • For conditional totals see [SUMIF](/functions/sumif/) and [SUMIFS](/functions/sumifs/).
  • Filtered lists may need [SUBTOTAL](/functions/subtotal/) instead of SUM on visible cells only.

Common errors

  • Works with any real number

Use cases

  • Engineering
  • Physics
  • Mathematics

Frequently asked questions

  • What is SINH (hyperbolic sine)? SINH calculates the hyperbolic sine: (e^x - e^-x)/2. Unlike regular sine which is circular, hyperbolic functions relate to hyperbolas. Used in physics (catenary curves, special relativity), engineering, and neural networks.
  • What is the difference between SIN and SINH? SIN is circular trigonometry (waves, circles, angles). SINH is hyperbolic (exponential growth/decay). SIN oscillates between -1 and 1; SINH grows without bound. SIN uses radians for angles; SINH takes any real number.
  • Where is SINH used in real applications? SINH appears in: hanging cable/chain shapes (catenary), electrical transmission lines, special relativity calculations, heat transfer equations, and as activation functions in machine learning neural networks.

Editorial review

  • Reviewed by Excel.Directory Editorial Team. Updated May 2026.