JavaScript (ES2026) reference · Array Methods

JavaScript Array shift() Method

Remove the first element of the array and return it, moving the other elements down. Returns undefined if empty.

JavaScript (ES2026) Since ES3

Syntax

array.shift()

The removed element, or undefined.

Remove the first elementTry it yourself

const queue = ["first", "second", "third"];
console.log(queue.shift(), queue);

Output

first [ 'second', 'third' ]

Process a queueTry it yourself

const jobs = ["a", "b"];
let job;
while ((job = jobs.shift()) !== undefined) console.log("processing", job);

Output

processing a
processing b

Version	Change
JavaScript ES3	Added

array.unshift() · Add one or more elements to the start of the array and return the new length. Changes the array in place.
array.pop() · Remove the last element from the array and return it. Changes the array; returns undefined if it is empty.
array.slice() · Return a shallow copy of part of the array, from start up to (not including) end. The original is not changed.
JavaScript Arrays · tutorial
JavaScript Array Methods · tutorial