Lodash _.isArrayLike() Method

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
5 examples
Lang
Decorative image with the word ISARRAYLIKE

Definition

Checks if value is array-like: not a function, and value.length is an integer from 0 through Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER. Part of Lodash Lang since 4.0.0 (stable — not deprecated).

Pass the value you want to inspect or convert. Read the return type carefully before you use the result.

Syntax

Call _.isArrayLike. Start with this line.

Lodash
_.isArrayLike(value)
CallWhat it does
_.isArrayLike(value)Primary signature.

Prefer import isArrayLike from "lodash/isArrayLike" when you want a smaller bundle.

Library declarations
Lodash
_.isArrayLike(value)

Parameters

ParameterDescription
valueRequired. The value to check

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*true if array-like, else false

Lodash Examples

Example 1 — Official: Array

Real arrays are array-like (and also Arrays).

Lodash
_.isArrayLike([1, 2, 3]);
// → true
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Input. Official sample: [1, 2, 3].
  2. Not a function. Arrays pass the first gate.
  3. Length. length is 3 — a valid integer length.
  4. Result. true.

Example 2 — Official: String

Strings are array-like even though they are not Arrays.

Lodash
_.isArrayLike("abc");
// → true

_.isArray("abc");
// → false
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Length. "abc".length is 3.
  2. isArrayLike. Valid length + not a function → true.
  3. isArray. Strings are not Array instances → false.
  4. Tip. This is the main reason to pick isArrayLike over isArray.

Example 3 — Official: Function Excluded

Functions have length (arity), but Lodash excludes them on purpose.

Lodash
_.isArrayLike(_.noop);
// → false

_.isArrayLike(function (a, b) {});
// → false  (even though length === 2)
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Arity trap. function (a, b) {}.length is 2.
  2. Excluded. Lodash rejects functions before trusting length.
  3. Result. false for both _.noop and the sample function.
  4. Why. Avoid treating every callback as a list.

Example 4 — Arguments Object

Classic arguments is array-like, but not an Array.

Lodash
var args = (function () { return arguments; })(1, 2);

_.isArrayLike(args);   // → true
_.isArray(args);       // → false
_.isArguments(args);   // → true
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Shape. Arguments has indexed keys and length.
  2. isArrayLike. Passes → true.
  3. isArray. Not an Array instance → false.
  4. Convert. Use _.toArray(args) before Array methods.

Example 5 — vs isArrayLikeObject

Strings pass isArrayLike but fail isArrayLikeObject.

Lodash
_.isArrayLike("hi");          // → true
_.isArrayLikeObject("hi");    // → false

_.isArrayLike({ 0: "a", length: 1 });       // → true
_.isArrayLikeObject({ 0: "a", length: 1 }); // → true
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. String. Array-like yes; object-like no (primitive).
  2. Shaped object. Both helpers return true.
  3. Pick. Use isArrayLikeObject when strings should not count.
  4. Pick. Use isArrayLike when strings and lists both count.
Compatibility

Browser & Runtime Support

_.isArrayLike is a Lodash Lang helper (added in 4.0.0). It runs anywhere Lodash 4.x runs — modern browsers (via CDN or bundle) and Node.js / Bun / Deno with npm install lodash.

✓ Stable · Lodash 4.0.0+

_.isArrayLike()

Available in [email protected] full builds and the lodash/isArrayLike modular import. Works in evergreen browsers and current Node LTS when Lodash is installed.

100% With Lodash 4.0.0+
Google Chrome Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Mozilla Firefox Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Apple Safari Supported · macOS & iOS
Full support
Microsoft Edge Supported · Chromium
Full support
Internet Explorer No native support · Use a polyfill
Polyfill
Opera Supported · Modern versions
Full support
Samsung Internet Supported · Android
Full support
Bun Supported · JavaScript runtime
Supported
Deno Supported · JavaScript runtime
Supported
Node.js Supported · Server runtime
Supported
Android WebView Supported · Modern WebView
Full support
_.isArrayLike Lodash 4.0.0+

Bottom line: Safe for production once Lodash 4.0.0+ is on the page or in your bundle. Prefer import isArrayLike from "lodash/isArrayLike" for smaller builds. There is no single native Array.isArrayLike — this helper fills that gap.

Frequently Asked Questions

_.isArrayLike(value) returns true if value is not a function and has a length that is an integer from 0 through Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER. That covers arrays, strings, Arguments, and many DOM collections.
No. isArray only accepts real Array instances. isArrayLike also accepts strings, Arguments, typed arrays, and plain objects with a valid length.
They expose a non-negative integer length and indexed code units, so collection helpers can iterate them like sequences.
Functions have a length meaning arity (parameter count). Treating every function as array-like would create surprising matches.
isArrayLikeObject also requires a non-primitive object — so strings pass isArrayLike but fail isArrayLikeObject.
Use import isArrayLike from "lodash/isArrayLike" or require("lodash/isArrayLike") for tree-shaking friendly bundles. Full build: import _ from "lodash" then _.isArrayLike.

Next: _.isArrayLikeObject()

Array-like checks that exclude string primitives.

_.isArrayLikeObject() tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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