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® 2026 Language Specification # sec-math.abs |
Browser compatibility
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