Tutorials

jQuery .size() Method

Posted in jQuery Tutorial

Updated on Oct 13, 2024

By Mari Selvan

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4 mins

1 Comment

Photo Credit to CodeToFun

Introduction

In jQuery, the .size() method serves as a handy tool for determining the number of elements in a jQuery object. This method provides a simple and efficient way to obtain the size of a collection of DOM elements selected by a jQuery selector.

In this guide, we'll explore the functionality of the .size() method and demonstrate its usage through practical examples.

Understanding .size() Method

The .size() method returns the number of elements contained within the jQuery object to which it is applied. It effectively provides a count of the matched elements, allowing you to perform actions based on the size of the selection.

Syntax

The syntax for the .size() method is straightforward:

syntax.js

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$(selector).size()

$(selector).length

(Note: .length is an alternative to .size() and provides the same functionality.)

Example

Determining the Size of a Selection:

Consider a scenario where you want to determine the number of paragraphs (<p>) in a document:
example.js
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```
var paragraphCount = $("p").size();
console.log("Number of paragraphs: " + paragraphCount);
```
This will log the number of paragraphs in the document to the console.
Conditionally Executing Code Based on Selection Size:

You can use the .size() method to execute code conditionally based on the size of the selection. For instance, let's check if there are any list items (<li>) in an unordered list (<ul>) and display a message accordingly:
example.js
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```
if ($("ul li").size() > 0) {
  console.log("List contains items.");
} else {
  console.log("List is empty.");
}
```
This will log either List contains items. or List is empty. based on the presence or absence of list items.
Combining with Other Methods:

The .size() method can be combined with other jQuery methods for more complex operations. For example, you can use it with .each() to iterate over a collection of elements:
example.js
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```
$("div").each(function(index) {
  console.log("Index: " + index + ", Size: " + $(this).size());
});
```
This will log the index and size of each <div> element in the document.

Conclusion

The jQuery .size() method provides a convenient way to determine the size of a jQuery selection, allowing you to perform various actions based on the number of matched elements.

Whether you need to count elements, execute code conditionally, or iterate over a collection, the .size() method proves to be a valuable asset in your jQuery toolkit.