How do I slice a JavaScript array?

To slice an array in JavaScript, you can use the array.slice(start, end) method, which returns a shallow copy of the original array containing the selected elements from the original array. The slice() method accepts two optional parameters. The first parameter specifies the starting index from which the elements will be retrieved. If the first parameter is not specified, the method assumes the default value for "start" is "0". The second parameter is the index up to which the elements should be retrieved. If the second parameter is not specified, then the array will be retrieved up to the end of the array. If the end value is greater than the length of the array, then the end value will be equal to the array's length. If the parameters "start" and "end" are negative numbers, then the elements are selected from the end of the array. The array.slice() method does not change the original array. In this JavaScript Slice Array Example, we use the slice() method. Click Execute to run the JavaScript Array Slice Example online and see the result.

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JavaScript array slice() method

The array.slice(start, end) method returns a shallow copy of the array containing a portion of the original array. A shallow copy is an exact copy of the original object's values one level deep. This means that if any fields of an object are referred to other objects, only the addresses will be copied, but not the objects themselves. The array.slice() method does not change the original array. The slice() method copies object references to a new array, with the original and the new array referring to the same object. If the object by reference is changed, then the changes will be visible both in the original and in its copy. Changing a string or number in one array does not affect the other in any way. If a new element is added to the original array or copy, it will not affect the different array.

JavaScript Array slice() Syntax
array.slice(start, end)

Where:
  • start (optional): an integer indicates which index to start selecting elements (the first element has index 0). Negative values are allowed, in this case the index from which the elements will be chosen is calculated using the following formula: array length + start. If the parameter is not specified, then the default value will be zero
  • end (optional): an integer specifying where the selection of array elements ends. If this parameter is not specified, then all elements from the initial position (start) to the end of the array will be selected. Negative values are allowed, in which case the index from which elements will be selected is calculated using the following formula: array length + end. No elements are copied if "end" is less than "start"

JavaScript Array Slice Examples

Below are some examples of slicing an array in JavaScript:

Copying the entire array

In this example, the array.slice() method copies the entire array since no arguments are passed:

JavaScript Slice Whole Array Example
let array = ['JavaScript', 'Split', 'Array', 'Example'];

console.log(array.slice());

// output: ['JavaScript', 'Split', 'Array', 'Example']

Copying from a specific index up to the end of an array

An example of using the array.slice() method to slice an array from an index to end of the array:

JavaScript Array Slice from an Index Example
let array = ['JavaScript', 'Split', 'Array', 'Example'];

console.log(array.slice(1));

// output: ['Split', 'Array', 'Example']

Slicing a specific part of array elements

In this example, the array.slice() method slices certain elements from a given array:

JavaScript Array Slice Specific Elements Example
let array = ['a', 'b', 'c', 1, 2, 3]

console.log(array.slice(0, 3));

// output: ['a', 'b', 'c']

How to slice an array with negative start and end parameters?

An example of calling the array.slice() method to slice an array with a negative parameters:

JavaScript Array Slice with Negative Parameters Example
let array = ['a', 'b', 'c', 1, 2, 3]

console.log(array.slice(-3, -1));

// output: [1, 2]

See also

Javascript Array Slice Related API examples and articles