JavaScript BigInt

BigInt is a built-in object in JavaScript that provides a way to represent whole numbers larger than 2^⁵³ - 1. The largest number that JavaScript can reliably represent with the Number primitive is 2^⁵³ - 1, which is represented by the MAX_SAFE_INTEGER constant. BigInts are utilized in scenarios where operations on large numbers are necessary due to their ability to represent integers with arbitrary precision.

Syntax:

BigInt( number ) 
or
Appending n to end of an integer literal

• Parameters: It accepts a single integer literal as a string that needs to be represented as BigInt.
• Return Type: This method returns the given value as BigInt data type.

JavaScript BigInt Examples

1. Creating BigInt using BigInt() Function

Example: This example creates a BigInt using the BigInt() function.

JavaScript

// Parameter in decimal format
let bigNum = BigInt(
  "123422222222222222222222222222222222222");
console.log(bigNum);

// Parameter in hexadecimal format
let bigHex = BigInt("0x1ffffffeeeeeeeeef");
console.log(bigHex);

// Parameter in binary format
let bigBin = BigInt(
  "0b1010101001010101001111111111111111");
console.log(bigBin);

Output

123422222222222222222222222222222222222n
36893488074118328047n
11430854655n

2. Creating BigInt by appending n

Example: This example creating a BigInt by appending n at the end of the number.

JavaScript

// Decimal format
let bigNum = 123422222222222222222222222222222222222n
console.log(bigNum)

// Hexadecimal format
let bigHex = 0x1ffffffeeeeeeeeefn
console.log(bigHex)

// Binary format
let bigBin = 0b1010101001010101001111111111111111n
console.log(bigBin)

Output

123422222222222222222222222222222222222n
36893488074118328047n
11430854655n

3. Comparing BigInt other types

A BigInt is similar to a Number in some ways, however, it cannot be used with methods of the builtin Math object and cannot be mixed with instances of Number in operations.

Example: Comparing BigInt with a Number.

typeof 100n === 100        // Returns false
typeof 100n ==  100        // Returns true due to coercion
typeof 100n === 'bigint'   // Returns true
100n < 101                 // Returns true due to coercion

Sorting: An array can hold both primitive data types and BigInts. This allows the sort() method to work when both normal Number and BigInt values are present in the array.

Example:

JavaScript

// Array consisting of both
// Number and BigInt
let arr = [4, 2, 5n, 2n]

// Sorting the array
arr.sort()

console.log(arr)  // [2, 2n, 4, 5n]

Output

[ 2, 2n, 4, 5n ]

Usage Recommendation

The following applications are not recommended to be used with BigInt due to its implementation:

• Coercion: Coercing between Number and BigInt can lead to loss of precision, it is recommended to only use BigInt when values greater than 253 are reasonably expected and not to coerce between the two types.
• Cryptography: The operations supported on BigInt are not constant time. BigInt is therefore unsuitable for use in cryptography.

Limitations and Considerations

• Some operators don’t support mixed types (both operands must be BigInt or neither).
• Be cautious when coercing between BigInt and regular numbers (precision may be lost).
• Unsigned right shift (>>>) is not supported for BigInt.

Supported Browsers

The browsers supporting BigInt method are listed below:

• Google Chrome
• Edge
• Firefox
• Opera
• Safari