JavaScript break
Examples
Break out of a loop when i is 3:
let text = "";
for (let i = 0; i < 5; i++) {
if (i === 3) break;
text += i + "<br>";
}
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let text = "";i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
text += i + "<br>";
i++;
if (i === 3) break;
}
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More examples below.
Description
The break
statement breaks out of a switch or a loop.
In a switch, it breaks out of the switch block. This stops the execution of more code inside the switch.
In in a loop, it breaks out of the loop and continues executing the code after the loop (if any).
Using Lables
The break
statement can use a label reference, to break out of any JavaScript code block (see "More Examples"
below).
Without a label, break can only be used inside a loop or a switch.
Syntax
break;
Using the optional label reference:
break labelname;
More Examples
Break out of a switch block when a case is true:
let day;
switch (new Date().getDay()) {
case 0:
day = "Sunday";
break;
case 1:
day = "Monday";
break;
case 2:
day = "Tuesday";
break;
case 3:
day = "Wednesday";
break;
case 4:
day = "Thursday";
break;
case 5:
day = "Friday";
break;
case 6:
day = "Saturday";
break;
}
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Break out of a list:
let text = "";
const cars = ["BMW", "Volvo", "Saab", "Ford"];
list: {
text += cars[0] + "<br>";
text += cars[1] + "<br>";
text += cars[2] + "<br>";
break list;
text += cars[3] + "<br>";
}
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Example
Break out of a nested loop:
// The first for loop is labeled "Loop1"
Loop1:
for (let i = 0; i < 3; i++) {
// The second for loop is labeled "Loop2"
Loop2:
for (let i = 10; i < 15; i++) {
if (i === 12) break Loop1;
}
}
Try it Yourself »
Related Pages
JavaScript Tutorial: JavaScript Break and Continue
JavaScript Tutorial: JavaScript For Loop
JavaScript Tutorial: JavaScript While Loop
JavaScript Tutorial: JavaScript Switch
JavaScript Reference: JavaScript continue Statement
JavaScript Reference: JavaScript for Statement
JavaScript Reference: JavaScript while Statement
JavaScript Reference: JavaScript switch Statement
Browser Support
break
is an ECMAScript1 (ES1) feature.
ES1 (JavaScript 1997) is fully supported in all browsers:
Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Safari | Opera | IE |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |