Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY

The Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY property represents the positive Infinity value.

You do not have to create a Number object to access this static property (use Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY).

Property attributes of Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY
Writable no
Enumerable no
Configurable no

Description

The value of Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY is the same as the value of the global object's Infinity property.

This value behaves slightly differently than mathematical infinity:

  • Any positive value, including POSITIVE_INFINITY, multiplied by POSITIVE_INFINITY is POSITIVE_INFINITY.
  • Any negative value, including NEGATIVE_INFINITY, multiplied by POSITIVE_INFINITY is NEGATIVE_INFINITY.
  • Zero multiplied by POSITIVE_INFINITY is NaN.
  • NaN multiplied by POSITIVE_INFINITY is NaN.
  • POSITIVE_INFINITY, divided by any negative value except NEGATIVE_INFINITY, is NEGATIVE_INFINITY.
  • POSITIVE_INFINITY, divided by any positive value except POSITIVE_INFINITY, is POSITIVE_INFINITY.
  • POSITIVE_INFINITY, divided by either NEGATIVE_INFINITY or POSITIVE_INFINITY, is NaN.
  • Any number divided by POSITIVE_INFINITY is Zero.

You might use the Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY property to indicate an error condition that returns a finite number in case of success. Note, however, that isFinite would be more appropriate in such a case.

Examples

Using POSITIVE_INFINITY

In the following example, the variable bigNumber is assigned a value that is larger than the maximum value. When the if statement executes, bigNumber has the value Infinity, so bigNumber is set to a more manageable value before continuing.

var bigNumber = Number.MAX_VALUE * 2;
if (bigNumber == Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY) {
  bigNumber = returnFinite();
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 1st Edition (ECMA-262) Standard Initial definition. Implemented in JavaScript 1.1.
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY' in that specification.
Standard  
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY' in that specification.
Standard  
ECMAScript Latest Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Number.POSITIVE_INFINITY' in that specification.
Draft  

Browser compatibility

FeatureChromeFirefoxEdgeInternet ExplorerOperaSafari
Basic Support(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)
FeatureAndroidChrome for AndroidEdge mobileFirefox for AndroidIE mobileOpera AndroidiOS Safari
Basic Support(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)(Yes)

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Last updated by: fscholz,