.eq()?.eq(index) (since jQuery 1.1.2) reduces the matched set to one element at a zero-based position. Negative indexes (since 1.4) count from the end. Out of range → empty set (length 0).
$("li").eq(2) // 3rd item (official)
$("li").eq(-2) // 2nd from last (jQuery 1.4+)
$("li").eq(0) // same idea as .first()
$("li").eq(-1) // same idea as .last()
$("li").eq(99) // empty set — safe, no throw
// Returns a jQuery object (keep chaining)
// .get(n) returns a raw DOM node instead| Need | Use |
|---|---|
| One item by index | $set.eq(n) |
| First / last | .first() / .last() |
| A range of items | .slice(start, end) |
| Raw DOM node | .get(n) (not a jQuery object) |
| Keep matching many | .filter() |
.eq()Build a set, then pick one position from that set.
$("li") or $("div.box"))..eq(n) with a zero-based index..length if it might be empty.| Piece | Required? | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Matched set | Yes | Collection to reduce |
| index | Yes | 0-based from start (1.1.2+) |
| indexFromEnd | Alt form | Negative from end (1.4+) |
| Return value | — | New jQuery set (0 or 1 element) |
call $(set).eq(index)
if index < 0:
index = set.length + index // from the end
if 0 ≤ index < set.length:
return new jQuery object with set[index]
else:
return empty jQuery object (length 0)Index shortcuts side by side.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Syntax | .eq(index) |
| Since | 1.1.2 · negative in 1.4 |
.eq(0) | ≈ .first() |
.eq(-1) | ≈ .last() |
| Out of range | Empty set — no throw |
vs .get(n) | jQuery object vs DOM node |
vs .slice() | One item vs a range |
Pick a list item by index — including negative positions from the end.
Short, copy-ready snippets. Open DevTools, or use Try It Yourself for a live editor.
$("li").eq(2)Mark the third list item (zero-based index 2).
$("li").eq(2).append(" [eq(2)]");li.2 means the third item (0, 1, 2)..eq(-2) From the EndNegative indexes count backwards (jQuery 1.4+).
$("li").eq(-2).append(" [eq(-2)]");-1 is last; -2 is second from last.-2 → index 3.find("div").eq(2)Index applies to the matched divs in document order.
$("#eq-demo").find("div").eq(2).append(" [blue]");div under the demo root.No match? Safe empty object — no exception.
var $hit = $("li").eq(5);
$("#out").text("length: " + $hit.length);
$hit.append(" [never]");0–4..length is 0..append() on an empty set does nothing..eq() vs .first() / .last()Same ends of the set — different APIs.
$("li").eq(0).append(" [eq0]");
$("li").first().append(" [first]");
$("li").eq(-1).append(" [eq-1]");
$("li").last().append(" [last]");.eq(0) and .first() target the same element..eq(-1) and .last() target the same element..eq(n) picks an arbitrary middle index..first()/.last() when the intent is “ends only.”Index mistakes that pick the wrong node — or none.
Humans count from 1; .eq() counts from 0. The “third” item is .eq(2).
After $("ul li"), indexes follow that filtered list — not every node on the page.
Official behavior: empty set, length 0. Check length when a miss matters.
.eq() ≠ .get().get(n) returns a DOM element. Calling .append() on it fails — wrap with $() or use .eq().
.eq() has been part of jQuery since 1.1.2. Negative indexes arrived in 1.4. It works in every browser that runs your loaded jQuery version.
Supported across jQuery 1.x, 2.x, and 3.x. Prefer .eq(n) for one item; use .slice() for ranges and .first()/.last() for ends.
Bottom line: Safe for picking one element by index. Remember zero-based positions, negative from-end indexes, and empty sets out of range.
| Approach | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
.eq(n) | Cheap | One item from an existing set |
.first() / .last() | Same | Clearer intent at the ends |
.slice(n, n + 1) | OK | Prefer .eq(n) instead |
| Narrower start set | Faster | Prefer $("ul li") over $("*") |
.eq() is a thin reduce — cost is dominated by how large the starting selection is. Scope first, then pick by index.
.eq(2); last → .eq(-1)..slice() for a range of indexes.One line: .eq(n) keeps one element from the current set — count from zero, or from the end with a negative index.
Keep a contiguous range of elements from the matched set.
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