.end()?.end() (since jQuery 1.0) ends the most recent filtering step and returns the matched set to its previous state. Traversal methods push a new set onto an internal stack; .end() pops one level. It takes no arguments.
$("ul.first").find(".foo").append(" [foo]").end()
.find(".bar").append(" [bar]"); // official idea
$("p").find("span").end().append(" [p]"); // back to paragraphs
// end() → previous set only (replace)
// addBack() → previous + current (union)| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| Restore previous set | .end() |
| Keep previous + current | .addBack() |
| Narrow into descendants | .find() |
| Reuse without chaining | Save $("…") in a variable |
| Pop more than one level | .end().end() |
.end()Narrow, act, then pop back so the next step starts from the earlier set.
$("ul.first") or $("p"))..find(), .filter(), .eq(), …) — pushes a new set..append(), .css(), …)..end() to restore the previous set.| Piece | Required? | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Prior push | Yes | A filtering/traversal method on the stack |
.end() | Yes | Pop one level — no arguments |
| Return value | — | Previous jQuery set |
| Variable alternative | Optional | Avoids .end() when not chaining |
stack = [original set]
call .find(…) / .filter(…) / …
→ push narrowed set onto stack
call .end()
→ pop current set
→ return previous stack entry
// Like closing a nested block:
// find(…) { … } end()
// find(…) { … } end()Stack pop vs merge at a glance.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Syntax | .end() — no arguments |
| Since | jQuery 1.0 |
| Effect | Pop one stack level |
vs .addBack() | Replace with previous vs union |
| Best with | Long chains after .find() / .filter() |
| Without chaining | Reuse a saved variable instead |
| DOM change? | No — collection only |
Narrow into .foo, then .end() and search for .bar from the list again.
Short, copy-ready snippets. Open DevTools, or use Try It Yourself for a live editor.
find → end → findStyle two nested searches from the same list root (jQuery API idea).
$("ul.first")
.find(".foo").append(" [foo]")
.end()
.find(".bar").append(" [bar]");ul.first.ul.first..foo.$("p").find("span").end()Act on spans, then restore paragraphs and mark them.
$("p")
.find("span").append(" [span]")
.end()
.append(" [p]");p.span children and mark them..append() hits p, not the spans alone..end() vs .addBack()Pop restores the parent; merge keeps parent and children.
var a = $("#box").find("p").end().length; // 1 (the box)
var b = $("#box").find("p").addBack().length; // 1 + paragraphs
$("#out").text("end → " + a + "\\naddBack → " + b);#box.end. Need both? addBack..end() CallsEach .end() closes one filtering “block.”
$("#wrap")
.find("ul").append(" [ul]")
.find("li").append(" [li]")
.end() // back to ul
.end() // back to #wrap
.append(" [wrap]");ul and mark it.li and mark those.ul set.#wrap for the final mark..end()Official tip: store the set when you are not chaining.
var $list = $("ul.first");
$list.find(".foo").append(" [foo]");
$list.find(".bar").append(" [bar]");ul.first in $list..end() for one tight chain.Stack mistakes that leave you on the wrong set.
.end() drops the narrowed set. If you need parent + children together, use .addBack().
.end()Two nested .find() calls need two .end() calls to reach the original set.
.end() can empty the setCalling .end() with nothing left to restore may leave an empty collection. Match pops to pushes.
.end() is optionalOfficial note: a final .end() before discarding the object is symmetry only — one extra call.
.end() has been part of jQuery since 1.0. It works in every browser that runs your loaded jQuery version (1.x, 2.x, and 3.x).
Supported across jQuery 1.x, 2.x, and 3.x. Stack pop behavior is jQuery-specific and pairs with traversal methods like .find().
Bottom line: Safe for chaining. Remember: .end() restores the previous set only — use .addBack() when you need a union.
| Approach | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
.end() | Cheap | Pop stack in a chain |
| Saved variable | Often clearer | Reuse the same root several times |
Trailing decorative .end() | Tiny extra call | Optional readability only |
Re-query with $() | Costlier | Avoid when .end() or a variable works |
Prefer .end() or a saved variable over selecting the same root again with a new $() call in the middle of a chain.
.find() / .filter() blocks..pushStack() — how sets get onto the stack.One line: after you narrow a set, .end() closes that step and puts you back on the previous selection.
See how jQuery pushes new element sets onto the internal stack.
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