Array.prototype.find()

find(callbackFn, thisArg)

Returns: T | undefined · Added in vES6 · Updated March 13, 2026 · Array Methods

array find iteration search

The find() method returns the first element in an array that satisfies the provided testing function. If no element matches, it returns undefined. Unlike filter() which always returns an array, find() returns the actual element or nothing.

Syntax

find(callbackFn, thisArg)

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Default	Description
`callbackFn`	`function`	required	Function to test each element
`thisArg`	`object`	`undefined`	Value to use as `this` when executing callbackFn

callbackFn Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description
`element`	`any`	Current element being processed
`index`	`number`	Index of current element
`array`	`Array`	Array that find was called on

Examples

Finding a number

const numbers = [5, 12, 8, 130, 44];

const found = numbers.find(num => num > 10);

console.log(found);
// 12

Finding an object in an array

const users = [
  { name: 'Alice', age: 28 },
  { name: 'Bob', age: 34 },
  { name: 'Charlie', age: 22 }
];

const youngUser = users.find(user => user.age < 25);

console.log(youngUser);
// { name: 'Charlie', age: 22 }

Using index parameter

const items = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry', 'date'];

const found = items.find((item, index) => index > 1 && item.startsWith('c'));

console.log(found);
// 'cherry'

When no match is found

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

const result = numbers.find(num => num > 100);

console.log(result);
// undefined

Common Patterns

Finding by property

const products = [
  { id: 1, name: 'Laptop', price: 999 },
  { id: 2, name: 'Phone', price: 699 },
  { id: 3, name: 'Tablet', price: 449 }
];

const product = products.find(p => p.name === 'Phone');
// { id: 2, name: 'Phone', price: 699 }

First matching vs filter

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

// find returns the element
console.log(numbers.find(n => n > 3));
// 4

// filter returns a new array
console.log(numbers.filter(n => n > 3));
// [4, 5]