To remove the returned item without re-addressing the array and invalidating all references to it, shift() requires moving the entire array around; pop() can simply subtract 1 from its length.
Medium
medium.com › an-idea › javascript-arrays-push-pop-shift-unshift-adc8fb815fc0
JavaScript Arrays: push(), pop(), shift() & unshift() | by Amanda M Johnson | An Idea (by Ingenious Piece) | Medium
October 10, 2021 - pop() works the same way as push(), ... to view image in full size · from MDN web docs · shift() works from the beginning of the array and removes the first element ·...
Top answer 1 of 6
64
To remove the returned item without re-addressing the array and invalidating all references to it, shift() requires moving the entire array around; pop() can simply subtract 1 from its length.
2 of 6
35
shift() has to re-index the whole array while pop() doesn't.
pop() simply removes the last element in the array. Therefore, the elements do not move; simply the .length has to be updated.
shift() removes the first element in the array. This requires a re-indexing of all elements in the array, so that [1] becomes [0] and so on.
Videos
20:48
Conquer the JavaScript Interview: Array push, pop, shift, & unshift ...
00:32
Push vs Pop vs Unshift vs Shift - JavaScript Array Methods #shorts ...
00:58
Array.pop() and Array.shift() in JavaScript - YouTube
21:21
Arrays in JavaScript | Different Method Of Array | Push Pop Shift ...
05:00
JS array .push() .pop() .unshift() .shift() - YouTube
GeeksforGeeks
geeksforgeeks.org › javascript › shift-vs-pop-method-in-javascript
Shift() vs pop() Method in JavaScript - GeeksforGeeks
July 23, 2025 - The shift() method removes the first element and whereas the pop() method removes the last element from an array. Javascript Array shift() method: The JavaScript Array shift() Method removes the first element of the array thus reducing the size ...
MDN Web Docs
developer.mozilla.org › en-US › docs › Web › JavaScript › Reference › Global_Objects › Array › shift
Array.prototype.shift() - JavaScript | MDN
The shift() method shifts all values to the left by 1 and decrements the length by 1, resulting in the first element being removed. If the length property is 0, undefined is returned. The pop() method has similar behavior to shift(), but applied to the last element in an array.
TutorialsPoint
tutorialspoint.com › shift-vs-pop-methods-in-javascript
Shift() vs pop() methods in JavaScript?
While pop() removes the last element from an array, shift() removes the first element from an array.
MDN Web Docs
developer.mozilla.org › en-US › docs › Web › JavaScript › Reference › Global_Objects › Array › pop
Array.prototype.pop() - JavaScript | MDN
The pop() method removes the last element from an array and returns that value to the caller. If you call pop() on an empty array, it returns undefined. Array.prototype.shift() has similar behavior to pop(), but applied to the first element in an array. The pop() method is a mutating method.
Medium
medium.com › @gisorehaggai › difference-between-pop-delete-and-shift-in-js-2a5821e77316
Difference between pop(), delete and shift() in js | by Haggai Gisore | Medium
June 8, 2023 - Understanding the differences between pop(), shift(), and delete() is crucial when manipulating arrays in JavaScript. The pop() method removes the last element, shift() removes the first element, and delete can remove a specific element but ...
CodingNomads
codingnomads.com › javascript-array-unshift-shift-pop-push
JavaScript Array Essentials: Using pop, push, shift, and unshift
The names "shift" and "unshift" ... being performed on the array - one "shifts" elements out of the array, while the other "unshifts" or pushes elements into the array from the start....
TutorialsPoint
tutorialspoint.com › difference-between-shift-and-pop-methods-in-javascript
Difference between shift() and pop() methods in Javascript
The shift method removes the element at the zeroeth index and shifts the values at consecutive indexes down, then returns the removed value. If the length property is 0, undefined is returned. The pop() method removes the last element from an array and returns that element.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/learnjavascript › the four common javascript array methods push, pop, shift and unshift
r/learnjavascript on Reddit: The four common Javascript array methods Push, Pop, Shift and Unshift
May 16, 2020 -
Javascript has a number of methods related to arrays which allow programmers to perform various array operations. There are four methods which are particularly used for adding and removing elements to and from an array. They are: push(), pop(), shift() and unshift(). For an experienced as well as new programmers, its likely to sometimes get confused how each of them work and which one to use in which situation. Thus, in this article, we have tried to simplify the concept with pictures and examples. Let's start exploring them one by one. Then we will compare their similarities and differences. Please look at the pictures too for better understanding.
https://foxbits.dev/article/four-common-javascript-array-methods-push-pop-shift-and-unshift/15
Top answer 1 of 2
6
Great article! I think it’s important to note that working with the end of the array (push/pop) is more performant than the beginning (shift/unshift). The reason for this is that the array is indexed, so adding to the end of the array doesn’t require any additional time. Shift/unshift though require the whole array to be reindexed since you’re adding to the beginning. Performance isn’t important while you’re learning, and really only matters with large arrays, but it is a good concept to get used to early on. In programming, that’s noted with something called big O notation, which is just a formalized way to loosely note what’s going on in the code. Push/pop are what’s known as O(1)—pronounced “O of 1”—which means that it’s constant time, or the time of the method will always take the same amount of time no matter the length of the array. Shift/unshift are O(n)—pronounced “O of n”—which means that the length of time it takes depends on the number of items in the array. This isn’t to say that shift/unshift are bad. They are useful! Use them as you will. Write first, and then optimize later.
2 of 2
1
console.log([...["I", "dunno", "what", "you're"], "talking", "about"])
Bennadel
bennadel.com › blog › 1796-javascript-array-methods-unshift-shift-push-and-pop.htm
Javascript Array Methods: Unshift(), Shift(), Push(), And Pop()
April 21, 2020 - Javascript also has support for parallel methods that work on the beginning of the array, where the index is smallest. Unshift() and shift() are basically the same as push() and pop(), only, at the other end of the array.
MeasureThat
measurethat.net › Benchmarks › Show › 2303 › 0 › clearing-array-via-pop-vs-shift-vs-length-0-vs
Benchmark: clearing array via pop() vs shift() vs .length = 0 vs = [] - MeasureThat.net
clearing array via pop() vs shift() vs .length = 0 vs = [] (200k) Empty an array in JavaScript · Comments · × · Do you really want to delete benchmark? Cancel Delete · × · FAQ: FAQ · Source code: GitHub/MeasureThat.net · Report issues: MeasureThat.net/Issues ·
Suneet Agrawal
agrawalsuneet.github.io › blogs › array-operations-in-javascript-push-pop-shift-unshift
Array Operations in JavaScript (Push, Pop, Shift and Unshift) · Suneet Agrawal
These methods are important for manipulating arrays and are commonly used in JavaScript programming. The push() method is used to add one or more elements to the end of an array · The pop() method is used to remove the last element from an array · The shift() method is used to remove the ...
Mimo
mimo.org › glossary › javascript › array-shift
JavaScript Array shift: Syntax, Usage, and Examples
Use shift() when you want to treat arrays like queues (FIFO). Use pop() for stack behavior (LIFO).
WebTechParadise
webtechparadise.com › article › four-common-javascript-array-methods-push-pop-shift-and-unshift › 15
The four common Javascript array methods Push, Pop, Shift and Unshift | webTechParadise
Push returns the new length of the array while Pop returns the popped out element. Unshift is for adding element(s) while Shift is for removing an element. Unshift requires elements as parameters when being invoked while Shift does not need the same.
hackinbits
hackinbits.com › articles › js › push-pop-shift-and-unshift-array-methods-in-javascript
Push, Pop, Shift and Unshift Array Methods in JavaScript | hackinbits
pop(): Remove an element from end of an Array · shift(): Remove an Element from the front of an Array · unshift(): Add elements to the front of an Array · In this article, we will learn about four array methods i.e. push(), pop(), shift() ...
LinkedIn
linkedin.com › pulse › javascript-data-structure-stack-queue-how-does-pushpop-haroon-hayat
Javascript Data Structure Stack and Queue: How does push/pop work faster than shift/unshift?
September 12, 2023 - Because shift( ) removes an element from the beginning of the array and unshift() inserts a new element from the beginning of an array. Methods push/pop run fast, while shift/unshift are slow.
daily.dev
daily.dev › home › blog › get into tech › pop and push in javascript: array essentials
Pop and Push in JavaScript: Array Essentials
December 22, 2025 - If you don't want to use pop() to remove the last item from an array, you can use shift() instead. The big difference is that shift() takes away the first item in the array, not the last one.
DEV Community
dev.to › swarnaliroy94 › remove-items-from-arrays-with-shift-pop-methods-5caf
Remove Items from Arrays with .shift() & .pop() Methods - DEV Community
August 6, 2021 - Similarly, like .shift() method, .pop() method can remove an Array or an Object or both from the starting of the existing array using .pop() method.
W3Schools
w3schools.com › jsref › jsref_shift.asp
JavaScript Array shift() Method
Array[ ] Array( ) at() concat() constructor copyWithin() entries() every() fill() filter() find() findIndex() findLast() findLastIndex() flat() flatMap() forEach() from() includes() indexOf() isArray() join() keys() lastIndexOf() length map() of() pop() prototype push() reduce() reduceRight() rest (...) reverse() shift() slice() some() sort() splice() spread (...) toReversed() toSorted() toSpliced() toString() unshift() values() valueOf() with() JS Boolean