Math.log2()

The Math.log2() function returns the base 2 logarithm of a number, that is

x > 0 , Math.log2 ( x ) = log 2 ( x ) = the unique y such that 2 y = x \forall x > 0, \mathtt{\operatorname{Math.log2}(x)} = \log_2(x) = \text{the unique} ; y ; \text{such that} ; 2^y = x

Syntax

Math.log2(x)

Parameters

x

A number.

Return value

The base 2 logarithm of the given number. If the number is negative, NaN is returned.

Description

If the value of x is less than 0, the return value is always NaN.

Because log2() is a static method of Math, you always use it as Math.log2(), rather than as a method of a Math object you created (Math is not a constructor).

This function is the equivalent of Math.log(x) / Math.log(2). For log2(e) use the constant Math.LOG2E which is 1 / Math.LN2.

Polyfill

This Polyfill emulates the Math.log2 function. Note that it returns imprecise values on some inputs (like 1 << 29), wrap into Math.round() if working with bit masks.

if (!Math.log2) Math.log2 = function(x) {
  return Math.log(x) * Math.LOG2E;
};

Examples

Using Math.log2()

Math.log2(3);    // 1.584962500721156
Math.log2(2);    // 1
Math.log2(1);    // 0
Math.log2(0);    // -Infinity
Math.log2(-2);   // NaN
Math.log2(1024); // 10

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
log2
38
12
25
No
25
8
38
38
25
25
8
3.0

See also

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Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Math/log2