Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global objects/Math/abs

The Math.abs() function returns the absolute value of a number, that is

<math display="block">\mathtt{\operatorname{Math.abs}(x)} = {|x|} = \left\{ \begin{matrix} x & {\text{if}\quad x > 0} \\ 0 & {\text{if}\quad x = 0} \\ {- x} & {\text{if}\quad x < 0} \\ \end{matrix} \right.</math>

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

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)The definition of 'Math.abs' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile						Server
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet	Node.js
`abs`	Chrome Full support 1	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support 1	IE Full support 3	Opera Full support 3	Safari Full support 1	WebView Android Full support 1	Chrome Android Full support 18	Firefox Android Full support 4	Opera Android Full support 10.1	Safari iOS Full support 1	Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0	nodejs Full support 0.1.100

Legend

Full support: Full support