How to add an element at the beginning of an array in JavaScript

In this tutorial, you will learn how you can add a new element at the beginning of an array in JavaScript.

1. Using Array.unshift() method

The unshift() method adds the value passed as an argument, at the beginning of the calling Array.

const arr = [1,2,3,4,5]

arr.unshift(-1) // returns 6

console.log(arr) // [-1,1,2,3,4,5]

It updates the original Array and returns the length of the array. To prevent updating the original array you can use ES6 Array destructuring, as mentioned below

2. Using Array destructuring

You can use array spread operator (...) and array destructuring to create a new array, with the element added at the beginning

Example:

const arr = [1,2,3,4,5];

const newArr = [-1, ...arr];

console.log(newArr); // [-1,1,2,3,4,5]

console.log(arr); // [1,2,3,4,5]

Related Solutions

• How to remove the first element of an array in JavaScript

• How to convert an Array to a String in JavaScript

• How to get the first element of an array in JavaScript

• How to merge two or more arrays in JavaScript