The log() CSS function is an exponential function that returns the logarithm of a number.
Logarithm is the inverse of exponentiation. It is the number that a fixed base has to be raised to in order to yield the number passed as the first parameter.
In CSS, when a single parameter is passed, the natural logarithm e, or approximately 2.7182818, is used, though the base can be set to any value with an optional second parameter.
Syntax
width: calc(100px * log(7.389));
width: calc(100px * log(8, 2));
width: calc(100px * log(625, 5));
Parameters
The log(value [, base]?) function accepts two comma-separated values as its parameters.
-
value
-
A calculation which resolves to a <number> greater than or equal to 0. Representing the value to be logarithmed.
-
base
-
Optional. A calculation which resolves to a <number> greater than or equal to 0. Representing the base of the logarithm. If not defined, the default logarithmic base e is used.
Return value
The logarithm of value, when base is defined.
The natural logarithm (base e) of value, when base is not defined.
<log()> =
log( <calc-sum> , <calc-sum>? )
<calc-sum> =
<calc-product> [ [ '+' | '-' ] <calc-product> ]*
<calc-product> =
<calc-value> [ [ '*' | '/' ] <calc-value> ]*
<calc-value> =
<number> |
<dimension> |
<percentage> |
<calc-constant> |
( <calc-sum> )
<calc-constant> =
e |
pi |
infinity |
-infinity |
NaN
Sizes based on log() function
This example shows how you can use the log() function to calculate sizes.
HTML
<div class="boxes">
<div class="box zero">50px</div>
<div class="box one">100px</div>
<div class="box two">150px</div>
<div class="box three">200px</div>
</div>
CSS
Here we are using CSS custom properties to define the sizes to be used. First, we declare the first size (--size-0), which is then used to calculate the other sizes.
--size-1 is calculated by multiplying --size-0 (50px) by the value of log(7.389) (2) which results in 100px.
--size-2 is calculated by multiplying --size-0 (50px) by the value of log(8, 2) (3) which results in 150px.
--size-3 is calculated by multiplying --size-0 (50px) by the value of log(625, 5) (4) which results in 200px.
:root {
--size-0: 50px;
--size-1: calc(var(--size-0) * log(7.389));
--size-2: calc(var(--size-0) * log(8, 2));
--size-3: calc(var(--size-0) * log(625, 5));
}
The sizes are then applied as the width and height values of the selectors.
.one {
width: var(--size-1);
height: var(--size-1);
}
.two {
width: var(--size-2);
height: var(--size-2);
}
.three {
width: var(--size-3);
height: var(--size-3);
}
Result
Specifications
Browser compatibility
|
Desktop |
Mobile |
|
Chrome |
Edge |
Firefox |
Internet Explorer |
Opera |
Safari |
WebView Android |
Chrome Android |
Firefox for Android |
Opera Android |
Safari on IOS |
Samsung Internet |
log |
No |
No |
118 |
No |
No |
15.4 |
No |
No |
118 |
No |
15.4 |
No |