Web/API/History/back

The History.back() method causes the browser to move back one page in the session history. It has the same effect as calling history.go(-1). If there is no previous page, this method call does nothing.

This method is asynchronous. Add a listener for the popstate event in order to determine when the navigation has completed.

Syntax

history.back()

Examples

The following short example causes a button on the page to navigate back one entry in the session history.

HTML

<button id="go-back">Go back!</button>

JavaScript

document.getElementById('go-back').addEventListener('click', () => {
  history.back();
});

Specifications

Specification	Status	Comment
HTML Living StandardThe definition of 'History.back()' in that specification.	Living Standard	No change from HTML5.
HTML5The definition of 'History.back()' in that specification.	Recommendation	Initial definition.

Browser Compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`back`	Chrome Full support Yes	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support Yes	IE Full support 10	Opera Full support Yes	Safari Full support Yes	WebView Android Full support Yes	Chrome Android Full support Yes	Firefox Android Full support Yes	Opera Android Full support Yes	Safari iOS Full support Yes	Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support: Full support