jQuery .removeProp() Method

Q: What does jQuery .removeProp() do?

.removeProp() removes a property previously set with .prop() on every matched element. Use it for custom properties you added — not for HTML attributes or native form state. Available since jQuery 1.6.

Q: What is the difference between .removeProp() and .removeAttr()?

.removeProp() deletes a JavaScript property on the DOM node. .removeAttr() removes an HTML attribute from markup via removeAttribute(). They operate on different layers.

Q: Can I use .removeProp() on checked, disabled, or selected?

No. Official docs warn that removing native properties can cause unexpected behavior. Reset them with .prop("checked", false) or .prop("disabled", false) instead.

Q: When should I use .removeProp()?

To clean up custom properties you attached with .prop() — for example a temporary flag or code like luggageCode. Prefer .data() for most application values.

Q: Does .removeProp() apply to all matched elements?

Yes. It removes the named property from every element in the collection and returns the jQuery object for chaining.

Q: Why does jQuery mention memory leaks with .prop() in old IE?

In IE before version 9, assigning non-primitive values via .prop() could leak memory unless .removeProp() cleared them before the element left the document. Modern code should prefer .data() for arbitrary values.

Beginner

6 min read

Updated: Oct 2026

5 examples

Live preview

Definition

What Is `.removeProp()`?

.removeProp() (since 1.6) removes a property that was set with .prop() on every matched element. It is for custom properties — not HTML attributes and not native form state.

Remember

// Custom property — OK
$("p").prop("luggageCode", 1234);
$("p").removeProp("luggageCode");

// Native form state — do NOT removeProp
// $("input").removeProp("checked");  // avoid
$("input").prop("checked", false);    // correct

// App data — prefer .data()
$("#box").data("score", 10);

Need	Use
Remove custom property	`.removeProp(name)`
Set / reset native property	`.prop(name, value)`
Remove HTML attribute	`.removeAttr()`
Store app values	`.data()`
Form field text	`.val()`

Approach

How to Use `.removeProp()`

Set a custom property with .prop(), then remove it when you no longer need it.

Attach a custom property: .prop("myKey", value).
Read it later with .prop("myKey") if needed.
Clean up with .removeProp("myKey").
For natives (checked, disabled), use .prop(name, false) — never .removeProp().
For most app data, prefer .data() over custom .prop() keys.

Piece	Required?	Role
`propertyName`	Yes	Name of the custom property to remove
Return	—	Same jQuery object (chainable)
Scope	—	Every matched element
After removal	—	`.prop(name)` → `undefined`

Pseudocode

call .removeProp(propertyName)

for each matched element:
    delete the JavaScript property named propertyName

return the jQuery collection

// For native form state instead:
//   .prop("checked", false)
//   .prop("disabled", false)

Reference

Cheat Sheet

Keep these facts handy when cleaning up custom properties.

Topic	Detail
Since	jQuery 1.6
Purpose	Remove properties set via `.prop()`
Safe on	Custom keys (e.g. `luggageCode`)
Unsafe on	`checked`, `disabled`, `selected`, …
Native reset	`.prop(name, false)`
vs `.removeAttr()`	Property layer vs HTML attribute layer
App data	Prefer `.data()`
Old IE note	Non-primitive `.prop()` values needed cleanup

Try it

Live Preview

Set and remove a custom luggageCode on the sample paragraph.

Sample element: the paragraph below. Custom property only — not a native form property.

Sample paragraph

Result

Ready — pick an action and click Run.

Code

jQuery Examples

Short, copy-ready snippets. Use .removeProp() only on custom properties.

Example 1 — Official `luggageCode` Demo

Set a numeric custom property, show it, then remove it.

jQuery

var para = $("p");

para
  .prop("luggageCode", 1234)
  .append("The secret luggage code is: ", String(para.prop("luggageCode")), ". ")
  .removeProp("luggageCode")
  .append("Now the secret luggage code is: ", String(para.prop("luggageCode")), ". ");

Try It Yourself

How It Works

Set. .prop("luggageCode", 1234) adds a custom property.
Read. Getter returns 1234.
Remove. .removeProp() deletes that key.
After. Getter returns undefined.

Example 2 — Custom Flag Cleanup

Attach a temporary flag, then clear it when done.

jQuery

$("#box").prop("isReady", true);
$("#box").removeProp("isReady");
$("#out").text("isReady → " + $("#box").prop("isReady"));

Try It Yourself

How It Works

Flag. Store a custom boolean with .prop().
Done. Call .removeProp("isReady").
Gone. The property no longer exists on the node.
Note. For most flags, .data() is still clearer.

Example 3 — `.removeProp()` vs `.removeAttr()`

Properties and attributes are different layers — removing one does not remove the other.

jQuery

var $el = $("#item");
$el.attr("title", "Tip");
$el.prop("code", 7);

$el.removeProp("code");

$("#out").text(
  "prop code=" + $el.prop("code") +
  ", attr title=" + $el.attr("title")
);

Try It Yourself

How It Works

Attr. title lives in HTML markup.
Prop. code is a custom JS property.
removeProp. Deletes only code.
title. Still present until .removeAttr().

Example 4 — Reset Native State with `.prop(false)`

Do not .removeProp("checked") — set the property to false.

jQuery

$("input").prop("checked", true);
$("input").prop("checked", false);

$("#out").text(
  "checked → " + $("input").prop("checked")
);

Try It Yourself

How It Works

Check. Set live state with .prop("checked", true).
Uncheck. Set false — keep the property intact.
Avoid. .removeProp("checked") can break expected behavior.
Same rule. Apply to disabled and selected.

Example 5 — Prefer `.data()` for App Values

Store temporary values with .data() instead of inventing custom properties.

jQuery

$("#box").data("score", 10);
$("#out").text("score → " + $("#box").data("score"));

$("#box").removeData("score");
$("#out").append(" | after removeData → " + $("#box").data("score"));

Try It Yourself

How It Works

Store. .data() keeps values in jQuery’s cache.
Read. Getter returns the stored value.
Clear. .removeData() drops the key safely.
Why. Safer than custom .prop() for app metadata.

Edge Cases & Pitfalls

These mistakes cause the most confusion with .removeProp().

native

Never `.removeProp("checked")`

Same for disabled and selected. Reset with .prop(name, false).

layer

Not a substitute for `.removeAttr()`

Attributes and properties are different. Removing a property does not remove the HTML attribute.

data

Prefer `.data()` for app state

jQuery recommends .data() for arbitrary values instead of custom DOM properties.

Old IE + non-primitive `.prop()`

IE < 9 could leak if object/function props were not cleared before removing the element. Prefer .data() today.

Compatibility

Browser Support

.removeProp() has been part of jQuery since 1.6. Works wherever your loaded jQuery build runs. Prefer current jQuery 3.x+ and .data() for app values.

✓ Stable · jQuery 1.6+

jQuery .removeProp()

Universal across browsers that run your jQuery version. Use only for custom properties — never native form properties.

100% jQuery core

Google Chrome All versions · Desktop & Mobile

Full support

Mozilla Firefox All versions · Desktop & Mobile

Full support

Apple Safari All versions · macOS & iOS

Full support

Microsoft Edge All versions · Chromium & Legacy

Full support

Internet Explorer IE 6+ · Legacy environments

Full support

Opera All modern versions

Full support

.removeProp() Universal

Bottom line: Safe for cleaning custom .prop() keys. For checked/disabled, always use .prop(name, false).

Analysis

Performance Notes

Approach	Cost	Best for
One `.removeProp()`	Cheap	Cleaning a custom key
`.data()` / `.removeData()`	Cheap	Most application state
Many custom props on many nodes	Messy	Prefer a single `.data()` object

Removal itself is cheap. The bigger cost is confusion — keep custom property use rare and prefer .data() for app metadata.

Remember

Key Takeaways

Role: remove custom properties set with .prop().
Never: call it on checked, disabled, or selected.
Natives: reset with .prop(name, false).
Prefer: .data() for most application values.

One line: .removeProp() cleans custom .prop() keys — never native form properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does jQuery .removeProp() do?

.removeProp() removes a property previously set with .prop() on every matched element. Use it for custom properties you added — not for HTML attributes or native form state. Available since jQuery 1.6.

What is the difference between .removeProp() and .removeAttr()?

.removeProp() deletes a JavaScript property on the DOM node. .removeAttr() removes an HTML attribute from markup via removeAttribute(). They operate on different layers.

Can I use .removeProp() on checked, disabled, or selected?

No. Official docs warn that removing native properties can cause unexpected behavior. Reset them with .prop("checked", false) or .prop("disabled", false) instead.

When should I use .removeProp()?

To clean up custom properties you attached with .prop() — for example a temporary flag or code like luggageCode. Prefer .data() for most application values.

Does .removeProp() apply to all matched elements?

Yes. It removes the named property from every element in the collection and returns the jQuery object for chaining.

Why does jQuery mention memory leaks with .prop() in old IE?

In IE before version 9, assigning non-primitive values via .prop() could leak memory unless .removeProp() cleared them before the element left the document. Modern code should prefer .data() for arbitrary values.

Next: jQuery DOM

Continue with DOM methods — including .data() for safer app state.

DOM hub →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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jQuery .removeAttr() Method jQuery DOM

jQuery .removeProp() Method

What Is .removeProp()?

How to Use .removeProp()

Pseudocode

Cheat Sheet

Live Preview

jQuery Examples

Example 1 — Official luggageCode Demo

How It Works

Example 2 — Custom Flag Cleanup

How It Works

Example 3 — .removeProp() vs .removeAttr()

How It Works

Example 4 — Reset Native State with .prop(false)

How It Works

Example 5 — Prefer .data() for App Values

How It Works

Edge Cases & Pitfalls

Never .removeProp("checked")

Not a substitute for .removeAttr()

Prefer .data() for app state

Old IE + non-primitive .prop()

Browser Support

jQuery .removeProp()

Performance Notes

Key Takeaways

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Topics

.prop()

.removeAttr()

.attr()

.data()

.val()

Attributes hub

Next: jQuery DOM

About the author

What Is `.removeProp()`?

How to Use `.removeProp()`

Example 1 — Official `luggageCode` Demo

Example 3 — `.removeProp()` vs `.removeAttr()`

Example 4 — Reset Native State with `.prop(false)`

Example 5 — Prefer `.data()` for App Values

Never `.removeProp("checked")`

Not a substitute for `.removeAttr()`

Prefer `.data()` for app state

Old IE + non-primitive `.prop()`