How to get the last element of an Array in Javascript?

How do you get the last element of an array in JavaScript?

Short answer: use at(-1). It counts from the end of the array and works in every modern browser and in Node.js 16.6 or newer. The classic way, which works everywhere, is arr[arr.length - 1].

const fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"];
 
console.log(fruits.at(-1));               // cherry
console.log(fruits[fruits.length - 1]);   // cherry

Neither of them changes the array. If the array is empty, both return undefined.

at(-1) and length - 1 read the last element, fruits[-1] does not work in JavaScript and pop() removes the element as it returns it.

Every way to get the last element

For everyday code, use at(-1). Use pop() only when you also want to remove the element.

Get the last element with at(-1)

at() accepts negative indexes: -1 is the last element, -2 the one before, and so on.

const scores = [72, 85, 91, 64];
 
console.log(scores.at(-1));  // 64
console.log(scores.at(-2));  // 91
console.log(scores.at(0));   // 72

It also works with strings: "hello".at(-1) returns "o". at() was added in ES2022, so very old browsers such as Internet Explorer don't support it. If you must support them, use length - 1.

Get the last element with length - 1

Arrays start at index 0, so the last index is always length - 1:

const fruits = ["apple", "banana", "cherry"];
const lastIndex = fruits.length - 1;  // 2
 
console.log(fruits[lastIndex]);  // cherry

Writing fruits[fruits.length] returns undefined, because index 3 doesn't exist. And fruits[-1] also returns undefined: unlike Python, square brackets in JavaScript don't count from the end.

Get the last element and remove it with pop()

pop() returns the last element and removes it from the original array:

const tasks = ["write", "test", "deploy"];
const next = tasks.pop();
 
console.log(next);   // deploy
console.log(tasks);  // ["write", "test"]

This is useful for stacks, for example an undo history. If you only want to read the last element, don't use pop(): the array will lose it.

Get the last few elements with slice()

slice() with a negative number returns a new array with the last elements, without changing the original:

const nums = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50];
 
console.log(nums.slice(-1));     // [50]
console.log(nums.slice(-3));     // [30, 40, 50]
console.log(nums.slice(-1)[0]);  // 50

You can also use destructuring: const [last] = nums.slice(-1); stores 50 in last.

Get the last element that matches a condition

findLast() (ES2023) goes through the array from the end and returns the first element that passes your test. findLastIndex() returns its position:

const nums = [3, 8, 12, 5, 20, 7];
 
console.log(nums.findLast(n => n > 10));       // 20
console.log(nums.findLastIndex(n => n > 10));  // 4

Last element of an array of objects

The same methods work with objects. Use optional chaining (?.) in case the array is empty:

const users = [{ name: "Ana" }, { name: "Luis" }];
 
console.log(users.at(-1).name);   // Luis
console.log([].at(-1)?.name);     // undefined, no error

Without ?., an empty array throws TypeError: Cannot read properties of undefined (reading 'name').

Use AI to work with arrays

An assistant like ChatGPT, Claude or GitHub Copilot can help you pick the right array method. These three prompts are ready to copy.

1. Choose a method

I have this JavaScript array: [paste the array]. I need to get [the last element / the last 3 /
the last one that meets a condition] without changing the array. Show me the best method.

2. Explain an undefined

This JavaScript code returns undefined when I try to get the last element: [paste the code].
Explain why and fix it.

3. Support old browsers

My JavaScript code uses arr.at(-1) and must also work in [the browser]. Tell me if at() is
supported there and give me an alternative that works everywhere.

Test each answer in your browser console or with Node.js.

Common problems when getting the last element

Related guides

• JavaScript array slice()
• How to clear an array in JavaScript
• JavaScript array fill()
• JavaScript array some()
• How to clone an array in JavaScript