javascript / latest / global_objects / math / abs.html /

Math.abs()

The Math.abs() function returns the absolute value of a number. That is, it returns x if x is positive or zero, and the negation of x if x is negative.

Try it

Syntax

Math.abs(x)

Parameters

x

A number.

Return value

The absolute value of the given number.

Description

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

Examples

Behavior of Math.abs()

Passing an empty object, an array with more than one member, a non-numeric string or undefined/empty variable returns NaN. Passing null, an empty string or an empty array returns 0.

Math.abs('-1');     // 1
Math.abs(-2);       // 2
Math.abs(null);     // 0
Math.abs('');       // 0
Math.abs([]);       // 0
Math.abs([2]);      // 2
Math.abs([1,2]);    // NaN
Math.abs({});       // NaN
Math.abs('string'); // NaN
Math.abs();         // NaN

Specifications

Browser compatibility

Desktop Mobile Server
Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari WebView Android Chrome Android Firefox for Android Opera Android Safari on IOS Samsung Internet Deno Node.js
abs
1
12
1
3
3
1
1
18
4
10.1
1
1.0
1.0
0.10.0

See also

© 2005–2022 MDN contributors.
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/abs