JavaScript Node isEqualNode() Method

What Is isEqualNode()?

node.isEqualNode(otherNode) returns true when two nodes are structurally equal — same type and matching defining data (for elements: attributes, children, and so on) (MDN).

a.isEqualNode(b)
→ true if a and b look the same (type, attrs, subtree…)
→ false if different — or if b is null

a === b              → same object?
a.isEqualNode(b)     → equal structure?

cloneNode(true):
  equal? often true
  same object? false

How to Use isEqualNode()

Pass another node (or null) and read the boolean.

1. Get two nodes to compare.
2. Call a.isEqualNode(b).
3. Treat null as always unequal (MDN).
4. Use === when you need identity, not just equality.

Pseudocode

if otherNode is null:
    return false

if a and b have same type
   and matching defining data
   and matching children:
    return true
else:
    return false

// identity is separate:
a === b

Cheat Sheet

Keep these equality facts handy.

Live Preview

Compare three divs (MDN-style): matching content, different content, and self.

Choose a pair, then Compare…

JavaScript Examples

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

const divs = document.querySelectorAll("#box div");

console.log(divs[0].isEqualNode(divs[0])); // true
console.log(divs[0].isEqualNode(divs[1])); // false (different text)
console.log(divs[0].isEqualNode(divs[2])); // true  (same content)

true
false
true

const original = document.getElementById("card");
const copy = original.cloneNode(true);

console.log(original.isEqualNode(copy)); // true
console.log(original === copy);          // false
console.log(original.isSameNode(copy));  // false (legacy; prefer ===)

true
false
false

const el = document.createElement("div");
el.textContent = "hi";

console.log(el.isEqualNode(null)); // false
console.log(el.isEqualNode(el));   // true

false
true

Performance Notes

Equality can walk attributes and descendants. Prefer === when you only need identity, and keep deep compares off animation / scroll paths.

Key Takeaways