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Log Loss

Log loss is a proper scoring rule that strongly penalizes extreme probabilities when outcomes go the other way.

Definition

Log loss is a proper scoring rule used to evaluate probabilistic forecasts. It penalizes confident wrong predictions more than Brier score, especially near 0 or 1.

Why it matters

Log loss discourages overconfidence. It is particularly useful when you want a strong penalty for assigning extreme probabilities without sufficient evidence.

Common pitfalls

Single event focus: Like other scoring rules, log loss is most meaningful over many forecasts.

Comparing across different event sets: Difficulty differences matter.

Learn more

For scoring workflows and examples, see BrierScore.com.