Math.sign()

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.sign() static method returns 1 or -1, indicating the sign of the number passed as argument. If the input is 0 or -0, it will be returned as-is.

Try it

Syntax

js
Math.sign(x)

Parameters

x

A number.

Return value

A number representing the sign of x:

  • If x is positive, returns 1.
  • If x is negative, returns -1.
  • If x is positive zero, returns 0.
  • If x is negative zero, returns -0.
  • Otherwise, returns NaN.

Description

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

Examples

Using Math.sign()

js
Math.sign(3); // 1
Math.sign(-3); // -1
Math.sign("-3"); // -1
Math.sign(0); // 0
Math.sign(-0); // -0
Math.sign(NaN); // NaN
Math.sign("foo"); // NaN
Math.sign(); // NaN

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript Language Specification
# sec-math.sign

Browser compatibility

BCD tables only load in the browser

See also