Arrays can be used to store multiple values in a single variable. When you work with Arrays, you may require to get the last item in an array in JavaScript.
You can get the last item in an array in JavaScript using the array.pop()
method.
Basic Example
var birds = ["dove", "parrot", "peacock", "finch", "cuckoos"];
let lastItem = birds.pop();
console.log(lastItem);
Output
"cuckoos"
This tutorial teaches you the different methods to get the last item of an array in JavaScript and when it is appropriate to use each method.
Get the last item of the Array Using Array.Pop()
Array.pop() is used to remove the last item of an array and returns the removed item.
- The pop method will change the length of the array.
You can use this method when you want to remove the last item from the array and return it.
Code
const birds = ["dove", "parrot", "finch", "owl", "cuckoos"];
const bird = birds.pop();
console.log(bird); // return the last item that is removed
Output
"cuckoos"
Get the last item of the Array Using Array.Slice()
The Array.slice() returns a shallow portion of an array into a new array object based on the start
and end
index position.
To get the last item as an array using the slice()
method,
- pass
-1
to theslice()
method. array.slice()
will not modify the original array.
You can use this method when you want to get the last item of the array as a separate array.
Code
var birds = ["dove", "parrot", "peacock", "finch", "cuckoos"];
let lastItem = birds.slice(-1);
console.log(lastItem);
Output
["cuckoos"]
Get the last item of the Array Using Array.Length()
Using array length is the traditional way to get the last item in an array.
- Use one value less than the array length to get the last item of the array because the index is 0-based.
You can use this method when you want to get the last item of the array without modifying the array.
Code
var birds = ["dove", "parrot", "peacock", "finch", "cuckoos"];
let lastItem = birds[birds.length - 1];
console.log(lastItem);
Output
In the above example, the length of the array(5) -1 [5-1 = 4]
is the index position to get the last item. Value at 4th index position(“cuckoos”) is returned, which is the last item of an array.
"cuckoos"
Get the last item of the Array Using Array. At()
Array.at() takes integer(positive or negative) as index position and return value present in the index position.
You can use this method when you want to get the last item of the array without modifying the array
Code
var birds = ["dove", "parrot", "peacock", "finch", "cuckoos"];
let lastItem = birds.at(-1);
console.log(lastItem);
Output
In the above examples, you can see a negative index position of -1 is given to array.at(-1)
, so the match will be taking place from the back to the front of the array.
"cuckoos"
Get the last item of the Array Using Array.reverse()
You can use the array.reverse()
to get the last item of the array in JavaScript.
However, using Array.reverse() is not a straightforward way, and it is also expensive to get the last item of an array.
While using the reverse()
method, first, the array will be reversed using Array.reverse()
, and by doing this, the first item of an array becomes the last item, and the last item of an array becomes the first.
After reverse, if you get the item in the first index, it will give you the last item of the array.
Code
var birds = ["dove", "parrot", "peacock", "finch", "cuckoos"];
let lastItem = birds.reverse()[0];
console.log(lastItem);
Output
"cuckoos"
JSfiddle
This tutorial is available in this JSFiddle.
Additional Resources
- How to insert an item into an array at a specific index in JavaScript – Detailed Guide
- How To Remove An Item From An Array In JavaScript? – Definitive Guide?
- How To empty an array in JavaScript? – Detailed Guide
- How To Append an item to an array in Javascript? – Definitive Guide
- How To Find the First Element Of An Array Matching A Condition in JavaScript