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

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()

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.

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

Browser compatibility

See also

• Math.ceil()
• Math.floor()
• Math.round()
• Math.sign()
• Math.trunc()