Harmonic Number Calculator

Harmonic Number Calculator

Calculate the n-th harmonic number Hn.

Last updated: June 2026 | By Patchworkr Team

Input Value

Exact Hn
2.929
= 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + ... + 1/10
Natural Log Approximation2.93
Approximation: ln(n) + gamma + 1/(2n)
Approximation Error0.001

What it means

The harmonic numbers add reciprocal terms from 1 through n.

Approximation

Hn grows slowly and is well approximated by ln(n) + gamma + 1/(2n).

Worked Example

Calculate H5.

1. Add 1 + 1/2 + 1/3 + 1/4 + 1/5

2. Total = 2.283333...

Final answer: 2.28333333

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Hn grow quickly?

No. It grows very slowly, roughly like a logarithm.

What is gamma?

It is the Euler-Mascheroni constant used in the approximation.

Can n be huge?

Yes, the approximation becomes very useful for large n.

Does the harmonic series converge?

No, the infinite series diverges.

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