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Math.max

The Math.max() function returns the largest of zero or more numbers.

Syntax

Math.max([value1[, value2[, ...]]])

Parameters

value1, value2, ...
Numbers.

Return value

The largest of the given numbers. If at least one of the arguments cannot be converted to a number, NaN is returned.

Description

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

If no arguments are given, the result is -Infinity.

If at least one of arguments cannot be converted to a number, the result is NaN.

Examples

Using Math.max()

Math.max(10, 20);   //  20
Math.max(-10, -20); // -10
Math.max(-10, 20);  //  20

The following function uses Function.prototype.apply() to find the maximum element in a numeric array. getMaxOfArray([1, 2, 3]) is equivalent to Math.max(1, 2, 3), but you can use getMaxOfArray() on programmatically constructed arrays of any size.

function getMaxOfArray(numArray) {
  return Math.max.apply(null, numArray);
}

Array.reduce() can also be used to get the maximum of an array, by comparing each value.

var arr = [1,2,3];
var max = arr.reduce(function(a, b) {
    return Math.max(a, b);
});

Or with the new spread operator, getting the maximum of an array becomes a lot easier.

var arr = [1, 2, 3];
var max = Math.max(...arr);

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 1st Edition (ECMA-262) Standard Initial definition. Implemented in JavaScript 1.0.
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.max' in that specification.
Standard
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.max' in that specification.
Standard
ECMAScript 2017 Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Math.max' in that specification.
Draft

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

See also

© 2005–2017 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/JavaScript/Reference/Global_Objects/Math/max