Lodash _.clamp() Method

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
5 examples
Number
Decorative image with the word CLAMP

Definition

Clamps number within the inclusive lower and upper bounds. Part of Lodash Number (stable since 4.0.0 — not deprecated). Too small → lower; too large → upper; otherwise unchanged.

Pass the numbers shown below. Check bounds and return type before you use the result.

Syntax

Call _.clamp. Start with this line.

Lodash
_.clamp(number, lower, upper)
CallWhat it does
_.clamp(number, lower, upper)Primary signature.
_.clamp(number, [lower], upper)Work with a number and its bounds.

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

Library declarations
Lodash
_.clamp(number, lower, upper)

Parameters

ParameterDescription
numberRequired. Value to clamp
lowerOptional. Inclusive lower bound
upperRequired. Inclusive upper bound

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*The clamped number

Lodash Examples

Example 1 — Official: Below Lower Bound

Values under the floor snap up to lower.

Lodash
console.log(_.clamp(-10, -5, 5)); // -5
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Value. -10 is below -5.
  2. Floor. Raised to the lower bound.
  3. Result. -5 — matches the official docs.
  4. Tip. Bounds are inclusive.

Example 2 — Official: Above Upper Bound

Values over the ceiling snap down to upper.

Lodash
console.log(_.clamp(10, -5, 5)); // 5
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Value. 10 is above 5.
  2. Cap. Lowered to the upper bound.
  3. Result. 5 — matches the official docs.
  4. Pair. Same range as Example 1.

Example 3 — Value Already Inside the Range

In-range numbers pass through unchanged.

Lodash
console.log(_.clamp(0, -5, 5));  // 0
console.log(_.clamp(-5, -5, 5)); // -5
console.log(_.clamp(5, -5, 5));  // 5
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Middle. 0 stays 0.
  2. Edges. Exact bounds are kept (inclusive).
  3. No change. Clamping only moves out-of-range values.
  4. Use. Safe to call on every input.

Example 4 — Clamp a Percent to 0–100

A common UI pattern for progress and volume.

Lodash
function toPercent(n) {
  return _.clamp(n, 0, 100);
}

console.log(toPercent(-3));  // 0
console.log(toPercent(42));  // 42
console.log(toPercent(150)); // 100
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Range. Valid percents are 0 to 100.
  2. Too low. -3 → 0.
  3. OK. 42 stays.
  4. Too high. 150 → 100.

Example 5 — Normalize Bounds Before Clamping

When users may swap min/max, order them first.

Lodash
function safeClamp(n, a, b) {
  var lower = Math.min(a, b);
  var upper = Math.max(a, b);
  return _.clamp(n, lower, upper);
}

console.log(safeClamp(5, 10, 0)); // 5
console.log(_.clamp(5, 10, 0));   // 10  (reversed — surprising)
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Normalize. Math.min / Math.max fix order.
  2. safeClamp. 5 stays inside [0, 10].
  3. Raw clamp. Reversed bounds are not swapped.
  4. Rule. Always pass lower ≤ upper.
Compatibility

Browser & Runtime Support

_.clamp is a Lodash Number helper available since 4.0.0. It runs anywhere Lodash runs — modern browsers (via CDN or bundle) and Node.js / Bun / Deno with npm install lodash. Native engines also offer Math.min(upper, Math.max(lower, n)) when bound order is known.

✓ Stable · Lodash 4.x

_.clamp()

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

100% With Lodash 4.x
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
_.clamp Since 4.0.0

Bottom line: Safe for production once Lodash is on the page or in your bundle. Prefer import clamp from "lodash/clamp" for smaller builds. Keep lower ≤ upper.

Frequently Asked Questions

_.clamp(number, lower, upper) clamps number within the inclusive lower and upper bounds. Official docs: _.clamp(-10, -5, 5) → -5 and _.clamp(10, -5, 5) → 5.
It is returned unchanged. For example _.clamp(0, -5, 5) → 0.
Lodash does not swap them. Bounds are applied as given (upper first, then lower), so reversed arguments can surprise you. Normalize with Math.min / Math.max when order is unknown.
Only when lower ≤ upper. Prefer Math.min/Math.max on the bounds first if users can pass them in either order.
_.clamp returns a number forced into the range. _.inRange returns a boolean — whether a value sits in a half-open range.
Use import clamp from "lodash/clamp" or require("lodash/clamp") so bundlers can tree-shake. Full build: import _ from "lodash" then _.clamp.

Next: _.inRange()

Check whether a number falls inside a start/end range.

_.inRange() 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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