.slice()?.slice(start [, end]) (since jQuery 1.1.4) reduces the matched set to a subset by zero-based index range. Indexes refer to position in the jQuery object — not the DOM tree. Patterned after JavaScript Array.prototype.slice.
$("li").slice(2); // items 3–5 (from index 2 to end)
$("li").slice(2, 4); // items 3–4 (end exclusive)
$("li").slice(-2, -1); // item 4 only (official negative demo)
$("li").slice(-1); // last item
// Indexes: 0 1 2 3 4
// Items: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th
// slice(2) → ✓ ✓ ✓
// slice(2,4) → ✓ ✓.slice()Select a set, pass a start index, optionally an exclusive end.
$("li"))..slice(start) to keep from that index to the end..slice(start, end) — end is not included..slice(-2) = last two.| Piece | Required? | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Matched set | Yes | Collection to reduce |
start | Yes | 0-based start (negative = from end) |
end | No | Exclusive stop; omit → through last |
| Return value | — | New jQuery set (0 or more) |
call $(set).slice(start, end?)
n = set.length
resolve start (and end) like Array.slice:
if negative → n + value
clamp to [0, n]
if end omitted:
end = n
result = elements from index start up to (not including) end
return result as a new jQuery objectKeep index methods side by side.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Syntax | .slice(start [, end]) |
| Since | jQuery 1.1.4 |
| Index base | Zero-based in the jQuery set |
end | Exclusive |
| Negative | Offset from the end |
vs .eq() | Range vs one element |
| Model | Array.prototype.slice |
| DOM change? | No — query only |
From five list items, try common .slice() ranges and compare with .eq().
Short, copy-ready snippets. Open DevTools, or use Try It Yourself for a live editor.
.slice(2)Keep every item from index 2 to the end (jQuery API demo).
$("li").slice(2).append(" [from 2]");li..slice(2, 4)End is exclusive — keeps indexes 2 and 3 only.
$("li").slice(2, 4).append(" [2..4)");.slice(-2, -1)Negative indexes count from the end of the set.
$("li").slice(-2, -1).append(" [neg]");.slice() vs .eq()A range of one vs a single-index pick.
$("#s-demo li").slice(1, 2).append(" [slice]");
$("#e-demo li").eq(1).append(" [eq]");(1, 2) is a half-open range with one element..eq() for one; .slice() for many.Take the last item, or a page-sized window from the set.
$("li").slice(-1).append(" [last]");
// Page 2 of size 2 (indexes 2–3):
// $("li").slice(2, 4);.slice(offset, offset + size) is a simple page window.Why a slice can look one item short.
end is exclusive.slice(0, 3) is three elements (0–2), not four. Same rule as arrays.
Not DOM sibling order for unrelated nodes — only the current matched collection.
.slice(10) on five items returns length 0. No exception is thrown.
Prefer .eq(n) over .slice(n, n + 1) for clarity.
.slice() has been part of jQuery since 1.1.4. It works in every browser that runs your loaded jQuery version — same indexing rules as Array.prototype.slice.
Supported across jQuery 1.x (1.1.4+), 2.x, and 3.x. Prefer a current jQuery 3.x build. Zero-based, end-exclusive, negative offsets from the end.
Bottom line: Safe for ranges, trailing subsets, and simple pagination windows. Remember: end is exclusive.
| Approach | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
.eq(n) | Cheapest | One element |
.slice(a, b) | Cheap | Contiguous index range |
.filter(fn) | Per-element | Non-contiguous rules |
Prefer a tight starting selector, then .slice(). Slicing only copies references into a new jQuery object — it does not walk the DOM tree.
.slice(2, 4) → indexes 2 and 3..eq().One line: .slice(start, end) keeps a half-open index range — just like Array.prototype.slice.
Keep even-indexed elements from the matched set (jQuery 3.5+).
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