JavaScript - check if variable is array type

In this article, we would like to show you how to check if an object or variable is array type using JavaScript.

1. Built-in Array.isArray method example

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

console.log(Array.isArray([ ]));                // true
console.log(Array.isArray(new Array()));        // true

console.log(Array.isArray({ }));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new Object()));       // false
console.log(Array.isArray(5));                  // false
console.log(Array.isArray('a'));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(true));               // false
console.log(Array.isArray(function() { }));     // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new function() { })); // false

2. instanceof operator test example

Note: if web browser does not support Array.isArray method this approach is useful.

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

if (!Array.isArray) {
    Array.isArray = function(array) {
        return (array instanceof Array);
    };
}

// Example:

console.log(Array.isArray([ ]));                // true
console.log(Array.isArray(new Array()));        // true

console.log(Array.isArray({ }));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new Object()));       // false
console.log(Array.isArray(5));                  // false
console.log(Array.isArray('a'));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(true));               // false
console.log(Array.isArray(function() { }));     // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new function() { })); // false

3. constructor property test example

Note: if web browser does not support Array.isArray method this approach is useful.

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

if (!Array.isArray) {
    Array.isArray = function(array) {
        return array.constructor == Array;
    };
}

// Example:

console.log(Array.isArray([ ]));                // true
console.log(Array.isArray(new Array()));        // true

console.log(Array.isArray({ }));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new Object()));       // false
console.log(Array.isArray(5));                  // false
console.log(Array.isArray('a'));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(true));               // false
console.log(Array.isArray(function() { }));     // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new function() { })); // false

4. toString result test example (Polyfill extension)

Note: if web browser does not support Array.isArray method this approach is useful.

// ONLINE-RUNNER:browser;

// Polyfill:

if (!Array.isArray) {
    Array.isArray = function(array) {
        return Object.prototype.toString.call(array) === '[object Array]';
    };
}

// Example:

console.log(Array.isArray([ ]));                // true
console.log(Array.isArray(new Array()));        // true

console.log(Array.isArray({ }));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new Object()));       // false
console.log(Array.isArray(5));                  // false
console.log(Array.isArray('a'));                // false
console.log(Array.isArray(true));               // false
console.log(Array.isArray(function() { }));     // false
console.log(Array.isArray(new function() { })); // false