How to check if a value is a number in JavaScript

In this short tutorial we are going to look at the various methods that exist to find out if a value is a number in JavaScript.

1. Using the isNaN() function

One of the most commonly used methods is to use the isNaN() function, which is a global function assigned to the JavaScript window object. However, you don't need to use the function like windows.isNaN(), just use the isNaN() function by itself.

The function will return false as long as the value we pass it is a number, and true otherwise. Here are some examples:

const myvalue = 4;    
isNaN(myvalue); // False  
isNaN('stringchain'); // True  
isNaN({}); // True  
isNaN(1.1); // False

As you can see, we can pass any kind of value to the function, be it primitive values or objects.

You can also execute conditional statements, like this:

const myvalue = 2;  
if (!isNaN(valor)) {    
console.log(This is a number'); 
}

2. Using the typeof function

The typeof function is used to find out what type a value is in JavaScript, returning 'number' if the value we pass it is a number. You can pass it a value directly:

typeof 2; // Return 'number'.

const myvalue = 2;  
typeof myvalue; // Return 'number'.

You can also execute conditional statements, like this:

const myvalue = 2;  
if (typeof myvalue === 'number') {    
console.log('It's a number');  
}