Lodash _.identity() Method

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
5 examples
Util
Decorative image with the word IDENTITY

Definition

Returns the first argument it receives — unchanged. Part of Lodash Util since 0.1.0 (stable — not deprecated).

Note: Objects and arrays are returned by the same reference (not cloned). Extra arguments after the first are ignored.

Syntax

Call _.identity. Start with this line.

Lodash
_.identity(value)
CallWhat it does
_.identity(value)Primary signature.
_.identity(...)Call the util helper.

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

Library declarations
Lodash
_.identity(value)

Parameters

ParameterDescription
valueRequired. Any value to return

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*The same value

Lodash Examples

Example 1 — Official: Same Object Reference

Confirm the returned object is the input itself.

Lodash
var object = { a: 1 };

console.log(_.identity(object) === object);
// → true
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Create. One object in memory.
  2. Pass through. _.identity(object) returns that object.
  3. Compare. === is true — same reference.
  4. Not a clone. No new { a: 1 } is allocated.

Example 2 — Return Any Value

Primitives and strings pass through the same way.

Lodash
_.identity(42);
// → 42

_.identity("hello");
// → "hello"
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Number. Returns 42 unchanged.
  2. String. Returns "hello" unchanged.
  3. Rule. First argument in → same value out.
  4. Use. Handy when an API requires a function.

Example 3 — _.map with Identity

Pass _.identity as a no-op iteratee.

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

How It Works

  1. Iterate. _.map calls the iteratee per item.
  2. Pass-through. Each call returns the element itself.
  3. Result. A new array with the same values.
  4. Why. Useful as a default transform placeholder.

Example 4 — Filter Truthy Values

Use identity as a predicate — falsy values drop out.

Lodash
_.filter([0, 1, false, 2, "", 3], _.identity);
// → [1, 2, 3]
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Predicate. Filter keeps items where the callback is truthy.
  2. Identity. Returns the item — so falsy items fail.
  3. Dropped. 0, false, and "" are removed.
  4. Kept. 1, 2, 3 remain.

Example 5 — identity vs constant

Echo the input vs always return a fixed value.

Lodash
_.identity(7);
// → 7

_.constant(7)();
// → 7

_.identity(99);
// → 99

_.constant(7)(99);
// → 7
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. identity. Returns whatever you pass.
  2. constant. Returns the captured 7 every time.
  3. With 99. Identity yields 99; constant still yields 7.
  4. Choose. Pass-through → identity; fixed stub → constant.
Compatibility

Browser & Runtime Support

_.identity is a Lodash Util helper since 0.1.0. It runs anywhere Lodash runs — modern browsers (CDN or bundle) and Node.js / Bun / Deno with npm install lodash.

✓ Stable · Lodash 0.1.0+

_.identity()

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

100% With Lodash 0.1+
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
_.identity Lodash 0.1.0+

Bottom line: Safe for production once Lodash is loaded. Prefer import identity from "lodash/identity" for smaller bundles. Use it as a named pass-through iteratee or default transform.

Frequently Asked Questions

_.identity(value) returns value unchanged. Official: _.identity(object) === object is true — same reference, not a clone.
Same behavior for one argument. _.identity is a named Lodash helper you can pass by reference to map, filter, flow, and other APIs.
_.identity returns what you pass in. _.constant(v) always returns the fixed v and ignores arguments.
_.filter(arr, _.identity) keeps truthy values and drops falsy ones — a concise truthy filter.
No. It returns the same reference. Mutating the result mutates the original.
Use import identity from "lodash/identity" or require("lodash/identity"). Full build: import _ from "lodash" then _.identity.

Next: _.iteratee()

Turn property names, objects, and functions into iteratee callbacks.

_.iteratee() 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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