isNaN vs Number.isNaN

Written byPhuoc Nguyen

Created

26 Aug, 2023

#The isNaN function

The `isNaN` function in JavaScript is a handy global function that checks if the argument is `NaN`. It returns `true` if the argument is `NaN` and `false` if it's not. However, before checking if the argument is `NaN`, it first tries to convert it to a number. This can sometimes lead to unexpected results.

Let's explore how the `isNaN` function operates with various values.

isNaN('hello');     // true
isNaN(undefined);   // true
isNaN({});          // true
isNaN([]);          // false
isNaN(42);          // false

As you see, the first three examples return `true` because `isNaN` tries to convert the argument to a number, but can't. In contrast, the last two examples return `false` because the argument can be converted to a number.

#The Number.isNaN function

Introduced in ECMAScript 6, the `Number.isNaN` function is a static method of the `Number` object. It determines whether the provided argument is `NaN` and returns `true` if it is, and `false` if it is not. Unlike `isNaN`, which tries to convert the argument to a number before checking if it is `NaN`, `Number.isNaN` solely checks for `NaN` without any type coercion.

Let's go back to the example we saw earlier in the previous section, specifically with the `Number.isNaN` function.

Number.isNaN('hello');      // false
Number.isNaN(undefined);    // false
Number.isNaN({});           // false
Number.isNaN([]);           // false
Number.isNaN(42);           // false
Number.isNaN(NaN);          // true

Can you spot the difference between `Number.isNaN` and the global `isNaN` function? In all the examples above, `Number.isNaN` returns `false` except for the last one, where it returns `true`. Why? Because `NaN` is the only value that is not equal to itself. Pretty interesting, right?

#Conclusion

It's generally better to use `Number.isNaN` than `isNaN` since it gives more accurate and predictable results. But, if you have to support older browsers that don't have `Number.isNaN`, then you might have to use `isNaN` instead.

#See also

Number() vs parseInt()

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Phước Nguyễn