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The Math.sign() function returns the sign of a number, indicating whether the number is positive, negative or zero.

Syntax

Math.sign(x)

Parameters

x
A number.

Return value

A number representing the sign of the given argument. If the argument is a positive number, negative number, positive zero or negative zero, the function will return 1, -1, 0 or -0 respectively. Otherwise, NaN is returned.

Description

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

This function has 5 kinds of return values, 1, -1, 0, -0, NaN, which represent "positive number", "negative number", "positive zero", "negative zero" and NaN respectively.

The argument passed to this function will be converted to x type implicitly.

Examples

Using Math.sign()

Math.sign(3);     //  1
Math.sign(-3);    // -1
Math.sign('-3');  // -1
Math.sign(0);     //  0
Math.sign(-0);    // -0
Math.sign(NaN);   // NaN
Math.sign('foo'); // NaN
Math.sign();      // NaN

Polyfill

Math.sign = Math.sign || function(x) {
  x = +x; // convert to a number
  if (x === 0 || isNaN(x)) {
    return Number(x);
  }
  return x > 0 ? 1 : -1;
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.sign' in that specification.
Standard Initial definition.
ECMAScript 2017 Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.sign' in that specification.
Draft  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support 38 25 (25) No support 25 No support
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support No support No support 25.0 (25) No support No support No support

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Last updated by: tgoyer,