The Math.acos() static method returns the inverse cosine (in radians) of a number. That is,

Try it

// Calculates angle of a right-angle triangle in radians
function calcAngle(adjacent, hypotenuse) {
  return Math.acos(adjacent / hypotenuse);
}

console.log(calcAngle(8, 10));
// Expected output: 0.6435011087932843

console.log(calcAngle(5, 3));
// Expected output: NaN

Syntax

Math.acos(x)

Parameters

x

A number between -1 and 1, inclusive, representing the angle's cosine value.

Return value

The inverse cosine (angle in radians between 0 and π, inclusive) of x. If x is less than -1 or greater than 1, returns NaN.

Description

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

Examples

Using Math.acos()

Math.acos(-2); // NaN
Math.acos(-1); // 3.141592653589793 (π)
Math.acos(0); // 1.5707963267948966 (π/2)
Math.acos(0.5); // 1.0471975511965979 (π/3)
Math.acos(1); // 0
Math.acos(2); // NaN

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Math.asin()
• Math.atan()
• Math.atan2()
• Math.cos()
• Math.sin()
• Math.tan()
• CSS acos() function