Convert negative float to positive in JavaScript

Question

How do I convert a negative float (like -4.00) to a positive one (like 4.00)?

Answer 1

The best way to flip the number is simply to multiply it by -1:

console.log( -4.00 * -1 ); // 4

If you're not sure whether the number is positive or negative, and don't want to do any conditional checks, you could instead retrieve the absolute value with Math.abs():

console.log( Math.abs( 7.25 ) );     // 7.25
console.log( Math.abs( -7.25 ) );    // 7.25
console.log( Math.abs( null )) ;     // 0
console.log( Math.abs( "Hello" ) );  // NaN
console.log( Math.abs( 7.25-10 ) );  // 2.75

Note, this will turn -50.00 into 50 (the decimal places are dropped). If you wish to preserve the precision, you can immediately call toFixed on the result:

console.log( Math.abs( -50.00 ).toFixed( 2 ) ); // '50.00'

Keep in mind that toFixed returns a String, and not a Number. In order to convert it back to a number safely, you can use parseFloat, which will strip-off the precision in some cases, turning '50.00' into 50.

Answer 2

value * -1

..is the simplest way to convert from negative to positive

Answer 3

If you know the value to be negative (or want to flip the sign), you just use the - operator:

n = -n;

If you want to get the absolute value (i.e. always return positive regardless of the original sign), use the abs method:

n = Math.abs(n);

Answer 4

Do you want to take the absolute value ( Math.abs(x) ) or simply flip the sign ( x * -1.00 )

Answer 5

var f=-4.00;

if(f<0)
f=-f;

Answer 6

Take the absolute value: Math.abs(-4.00)