Math.abs()

Baseline Widely available

This feature is well established and works across many devices and browser versions. It’s been available across browsers since July 2015.

The Math.abs() static method returns the absolute value of a number.

Try it

function difference(a, b) {
  return Math.abs(a - b);
}

console.log(difference(3, 5));
// Expected output: 2

console.log(difference(5, 3));
// Expected output: 2

console.log(difference(1.23456, 7.89012));
// Expected output: 6.6555599999999995

Syntax

js
Math.abs(x)

Parameters

x

A number.

Return value

The absolute value of x. If x is negative or -0, returns its opposite number -x (which is non-negative). Otherwise, returns x itself. The result is therefore always a positive number or 0.

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

Using Math.abs()

js
Math.abs(-Infinity); // Infinity
Math.abs(-1); // 1
Math.abs(-0); // 0
Math.abs(0); // 0
Math.abs(1); // 1
Math.abs(Infinity); // Infinity

Coercion of parameter

Math.abs() coerces its parameter to a number. Non-coercible values will become NaN, making Math.abs() also return NaN.

js
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

Specification
ECMAScript® 2025 Language Specification
# sec-math.abs

Browser compatibility

Report problems with this compatibility data on GitHub
desktopmobileserver
Chrome
Edge
Firefox
Opera
Safari
Chrome Android
Firefox for Android
Opera Android
Safari on iOS
Samsung Internet
WebView Android
WebView on iOS
Deno
Node.js
abs

Legend

Tip: you can click/tap on a cell for more information.

Full support
Full support

See also