How Do I Empty an Array in JavaScript?

There are various methods to empty an array in JavaScript.

1. Setting the Length Property to 0

The length property of an array defines the number of elements in the array. Setting it to 0 effectively clears all elements.

let arr = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50];
arr.length = 0; // Clears the array
console.log(arr); // Output: []

You can replace the existing array with a new empty array using assignment.

let arr = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50];
arr = []; // Reassigns the array
console.log(arr); // Output: []

Note: The original array reference remains unchanged, but other references pointing to the old array will not reflect the update.

The splice() method can remove all elements of the array by starting at index 0 and removing its entire length.

let arr = [10, 20, 30, 40];
arr.splice(0, arr.length); // Clears the array
console.log(arr); // Output: []

You can repeatedly use the pop() method to remove elements from the end of the array until it becomes empty.

let arr = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50];

while (arr.length > 0) {
    arr.pop();
}
console.log(arr); // Output: []

Similar to pop(), you can use shift() to remove elements from the beginning of the array until it’s empty.

let arr = [10, 20, 30, 40, 50];

while (arr.length > 0) {
    arr.shift();
}

console.log(arr); // Output: []