jQuery noConflict() Method

What Is jQuery.noConflict()?

jQuery.noConflict([removeAll]) (since 1.0) gives the global $ name back to whatever owned it before jQuery loaded. jQuery itself stays available as jQuery unless you pass true. The method returns the jQuery object so you can keep an alias.

// Give $ back to the other library
jQuery.noConflict();

// Still use jQuery by full name
jQuery("div p").hide();

// Or keep a private alias
var $jq = jQuery.noConflict();
$jq("div p").hide();

// Or use $ safely inside ready / an IIFE
jQuery(function ($) {
  // $ is jQuery here
});

How to Use noConflict()

Load order matters. Free $, then keep a clear way to call jQuery.

1. Load the other library that needs $ (if any), then load jQuery.
2. Call jQuery.noConflict() so global $ returns to the other library.
3. Use jQuery(...), a saved alias, ready’s $ argument, or an IIFE.
4. Only pass true when you must also remove the global jQuery name.
5. Avoid loading two jQuery versions unless you have a rare migration need.

Pseudocode

other library may own window.$

jQuery loads
    → saves previous $
    → sets window.$ = jQuery
    → sets window.jQuery = jQuery

call jQuery.noConflict()
    → restore previous window.$
    → keep window.jQuery
    → return jQuery object

call jQuery.noConflict(true)
    → restore previous $ and jQuery
    → return jQuery object (capture it!)

use jQuery via:
    jQuery(...)
    savedAlias(...)
    jQuery(function ($) { ... })
    (function ($) { ... })(jQuery)

Cheat Sheet

Keep these patterns handy when sharing a page with another $ library.

Live Preview

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jQuery Examples

Short, copy-ready patterns from the official API. Use Try It Yourself for a live editor.

jQuery.noConflict();

// jQuery code
jQuery("div p").hide();

// Other library can use $ again
// $("content")…

Paragraph hidden with jQuery(...)
Global $ belongs to the other library again

jQuery.noConflict();

jQuery(document).ready(function ($) {
  // $ is jQuery here
  $("p").text("Styled inside ready with local $");
});

// Outside, global $ is the other library

Styled inside ready with local $
Outside ready, global $ is still the other library

jQuery.noConflict();

(function ($) {
  $(function () {
    $("li").text(function (i, t) {
      return t + " ✓";
    });
  });
})(jQuery);

// Other code using $ as the other library

One ✓
Two ✓
IIFE $ is jQuery; global $ is the other library

var j = jQuery.noConflict();

// Do something with jQuery
j("div p").hide();

// Do something with another library's $()
// $("content")…

j === jQuery → true
Paragraph hidden with j(...)
Global $ is the other library

var dom = {};
dom.query = jQuery.noConflict(true);

// New reference
dom.query("div p").hide();

// window.$ and window.jQuery are restored / cleared
// Plugins that need global jQuery may break

typeof window.jQuery → undefined (or prior owner)
dom.query still works
Use removeAll carefully

Performance Notes

noConflict itself is cheap. The real cost is loading extra libraries or duplicate jQuery builds — keep the page to one jQuery when you can.

Key Takeaways