Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global objects/Math/atan2

The Math.atan2() function returns the angle in the plane (in radians) between the positive x-axis and the ray from (0,0) to the point (x,y), for Math.atan2(y,x).

Syntax

Math.atan2(y, x)

Parameters

y: The y coordinate of the point.
x: The x coordinate of the point

Return value

The angle in radians (in <math display="inline">\lbrack - \pi,\pi\rbrack</math>) between the positive x-axis and the ray from (0,0) to the point (x,y).

Description

The Math.atan2() method returns a numeric value between -π and π representing the angle theta of an (x, y) point. This is the counterclockwise angle, measured in radians, between the positive X axis, and the point (x, y). Note that the arguments to this function pass the y-coordinate first and the x-coordinate second.

[[File:../../../../../../../../media.prod.mdn.mozit.cloud/attachments/2015/09/22/11557/dd6fa5f4dd920f07b1e794c203bcc462/atan2.png|A simple diagram showing the angle returned by atan2(y, x)]]

Math.atan2() is passed separate x and y arguments, and Math.atan() is passed the ratio of those two arguments.

Because atan2() is a static method of Math, you always use it as Math.atan2(), rather than as a method of a Math object you created (Math is not a constructor).

Examples

Using Math.atan2()

Math.atan2(90, 15); // 1.4056476493802699
Math.atan2(15, 90); // 0.16514867741462683

Math.atan2(±0, -0);               // ±PI.
Math.atan2(±0, +0);               // ±0.
Math.atan2(±0, -x);               // ±PI for x > 0.
Math.atan2(±0, x);                // ±0 for x > 0.
Math.atan2(-y, ±0);               // -PI/2 for y > 0.
Math.atan2(y, ±0);                // PI/2 for y > 0.
Math.atan2(±y, -Infinity);        // ±PI for finite y > 0.
Math.atan2(±y, +Infinity);        // ±0 for finite y > 0.
Math.atan2(±Infinity, x);         // ±PI/2 for finite x.
Math.atan2(±Infinity, -Infinity); // ±3*PI/4.
Math.atan2(±Infinity, +Infinity); // ±PI/4.

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)The definition of 'Math.atan2' 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
`atan2`	Chrome Full support 1	Edge Full support 12	Firefox Full support 1	IE Full support 4	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