---
title: Javascript Comparisons
description: "> Comparison and Logical operators are used to test for `true` or `false`. --- ## Comparison Operators Comparison operators are used in logical statements to determine equality or difference between variables or values. Given that `x = 5`, the table below explains the comparison…"
url: "https://apprentice.mn/docs/javascript-comparisons/"
updated: "2021-05-13"
category: Javascript
---

# Javascript Comparisons

> Comparison and Logical operators are used to test for `true` or `false`.

---

## Comparison Operators

Comparison operators are used in logical statements to determine equality or difference between variables or values.

Given that `x = 5`, the table below explains the comparison operators:

| Operator | Description | Comparing | Returns |   |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| == | equal to | x == 8 | false |   |
| x == 5 | true |   |  |  |
| x == “5” | true |   |  |  |
| === | equal value and equal type | x === 5 | true |   |
| x === “5” | false |   |  |  |
| != | not equal | x != 8 | true |   |
| !== | not equal value or not equal type | x !== 5 | false |   |
| x !== “5” | true |   |  |  |
| x !== 8 | true |   |  |  |
| > | greater than | x > 8 | false |   |
| < | less than | x < 8 | true |   |
| >= | greater than or equal to | x >= 8 | false |   |
| <= | less than or equal to | x <= 8 | true |   |

---

   

---

## How Can it be Used

Comparison operators can be used in conditional statements to compare values and take action depending on the result:

       `if (age < 18) text = "Too young to buy alcohol";`

You will learn more about the use of conditional statements in the next chapter of this tutorial.

---

## Logical Operators

Logical operators are used to determine the logic between variables or values.

Given that `x = 6` and `y = 3`, the table below explains the logical operators:

| Operator | Description | Example |   |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| && | and | (x < 10 && y > 1) is true |   |
| || | or | (x == 5 || y == 5) is false |   |
| ! | not | !(x == y) is true |   |

---

## Conditional (Ternary) Operator

JavaScript also contains a conditional operator that assigns a value to a variable based on some condition.

### Syntax

  *variablename *= (*condition*) ?* value1*:*value2* 

### Example

     `var voteable = (age < 18) ? "Too young":"Old enough";`

If the variable age is a value below 18, the value of the variable voteable will be “Too young”, otherwise the value of voteable will be “Old enough”.

---

## Comparing Different Types

Comparing data of different types may give unexpected results.

When comparing a string with a number, JavaScript will convert the string to a number when doing the comparison. An empty string converts to 0. A non-numeric string converts to `NaN` which is always `false`.

| Case | Value |   |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2 < 12 | true |   |
| 2 < “12” | true |   |
| 2 < “John” | false |   |
| 2 > “John” | false |   |
| 2 == “John” | false |   |
| “2” < “12” | false |   |
| “2” > “12” | true |   |
| “2” == “12” | false |   |

When comparing two strings, “2” will be greater than “12”, because (alphabetically) 1 is less than 2.

To secure a proper result, variables should be converted to the proper type before comparison:

       `age = Number(age);
if (isNaN(age)) {
  voteable = "Input is not a number";
} else {
  voteable = (age < 18) ? "Too young" : "Old enough";
}`        [https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fapprentice.mn%2Fdocs%2Fjavascript-comparisons%2F&linkname=Javascript%20Comparisons](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/facebook?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fapprentice.mn%2Fdocs%2Fjavascript-comparisons%2F&linkname=Javascript%20Comparisons)[https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/mastodon?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fapprentice.mn%2Fdocs%2Fjavascript-comparisons%2F&linkname=Javascript%20Comparisons](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/mastodon?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fapprentice.mn%2Fdocs%2Fjavascript-comparisons%2F&linkname=Javascript%20Comparisons)[https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fapprentice.mn%2Fdocs%2Fjavascript-comparisons%2F&linkname=Javascript%20Comparisons](https://www.addtoany.com/add_to/email?linkurl=https%3A%2F%2Fapprentice.mn%2Fdocs%2Fjavascript-comparisons%2F&linkname=Javascript%20Comparisons)[https://www.addtoany.com/share](https://www.addtoany.com/share)