String.prototype.trim()

The trim() method removes whitespace from both ends of a string. Whitespace in this context is all the whitespace characters (space, tab, no-break space, etc.) and all the line terminator characters (LF, CR, etc.).

Syntax

JavaScript
<var>str</var>.trim()

Return value

A new string representing the calling string stripped of whitespace from both ends.

Description

The trim() method returns the string stripped of whitespace from both ends. trim() does not affect the value of the string itself.

Examples

Using trim()

The following example displays the lowercase string 'foo':

JavaScript
var orig = '   foo  ';
console.log(orig.trim()); // 'foo'

// Another example of .trim() removing whitespace from just one side.

var orig = 'foo    ';
console.log(orig.trim()); // 'foo'

Polyfill

Running the following code before any other code will create trim() if it's not natively available.

JavaScript
if (!String.prototype.trim) {
  String.prototype.trim = function () {
    return this.replace(/^[\s\uFEFF\xA0]+|[\s\uFEFF\xA0]+$/g, '');
  };
}

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
ECMAScript 5.1 (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'String.prototype.trim' in that specification.
Standard Initial definition. Implemented in JavaScript 1.8.1.
ECMAScript 2015 (6th Edition, ECMA-262)
The definition of 'String.prototype.trim' in that specification.
Standard  
ECMAScript 2017 Draft (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'String.prototype.trim' in that specification.
Draft  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) 3.5 (1.9.1) 9 10.5 5
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

See also

License

© 2016 Mozilla Contributors
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-us/docs/web/javascript/reference/global_objects/string/trim

ECMAScript5 JavaScript Method Prototype Reference String