jQuery uniqueSort() Method

What Is uniqueSort()?

jQuery.uniqueSort(array) (alias $.uniqueSort) sorts an array or array-like list of DOM elements in place, removes duplicate node references, and returns that list in document order (added as uniqueSort in jQuery 1.12 / 2.2).

$.uniqueSort(domArray)  → same array, sorted + deduped

// Duplicate = same node object (identity), not same HTML
// DOM elements only — not strings or numbers

// Official pattern:
divs = $("div").get().concat($(".dup").get())
divs = $.uniqueSort(divs)

How to Use uniqueSort()

Collect DOM nodes into a plain array, merge if needed, then uniqueSort.

1. Build an array of DOM elements (.get() / .toArray()).
2. Optionally merge more nodes with $.merge or concat.
3. Call $.uniqueSort(arr) to dedupe and sort in place.
4. Use the same array afterward (it is mutated).

Pseudocode

function uniqueSort(array):
    // DOM elements only
    sort array into document order
    remove entries that are the same node object
    return array   // mutated in place

// Typical / official flow:
divs = $("div").get()
divs = divs.concat($(".dup").get())
divs = $.uniqueSort(divs)

Cheat Sheet

Keep these facts handy while deduping DOM node lists.

Live Preview

Pick a sample node list, run $.uniqueSort, and inspect length / order.

sample = Official merge
before → 5
after  → 3
ids → us-a, us-b, us-c

jQuery Examples

Short, copy-ready snippets. Open DevTools Console, or use Try It Yourself for a live editor.

var divs = $("div").get();
divs = divs.concat($(".dup").get());

console.log(divs.length);       // e.g. 8 (6 + 2 overlaps)
divs = $.uniqueSort(divs);
console.log(divs.length);       // e.g. 6

8
6

var target = document.getElementById("panel");
var nodes = [target, target, target];

console.log(nodes.length);  // 3
$.uniqueSort(nodes);
console.log(nodes.length);  // 1

3
1

var items = $("li.item").get();  // three different <li> nodes

console.log(items.length);  // 3
$.uniqueSort(items);
console.log(items.length);  // 3  (still three nodes)

3
3

var nodes = [
  document.querySelector("#third"),
  document.querySelector("#first"),
  document.querySelector("#second")
];

$.uniqueSort(nodes);

console.log(nodes.map(function (el) { return el.id; }).join(" → "));
// "first → second → third"

first → second → third

Performance Notes

You rarely need this in application code — jQuery uses it internally. When you do, run it once after merging node arrays, not on every click.

Key Takeaways