JavaScript break

❮ JavaScript Statements Reference Next ❯

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 + " ";
}

Try it Yourself »

let text = "";i = 0;
while (i < 5) {
text += i + " ";
i++;
if (i === 3) break;
}

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More examples below.

Definition and Usage

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] + " ";
text += cars[1] + " ";
text += cars[2] + " ";
break list;
text += cars[3] + " ";
}

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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 »

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