JavaScript Statement & Expression
JavaScript semicolons are used to separate statements.
A semicolon ; tells JavaScript where one statement ends.
Example
javascript
let name = "John";
let age = 25;Here, each statement ends with a semicolon.
A semicolon is a punctuation mark used at the end of a JavaScript statement.
Example
javascript
let city = "London";In this example, the semicolon appears at the end of the statement.
It tells JavaScript that this instruction is complete.
Semicolons are commonly used after variable declarations.
Example
javascript
let firstName = "John";
let lastName = "Smith";
let age = 30;Each line is a separate statement, so each line ends with a semicolon.
Semicolons are also used after expressions and calculations.
Example
javascript
let price = 500;
let quantity = 3;
let total = price * quantity;Here, JavaScript calculates the total and stores it in the total variable.
A semicolon is commonly used after a function call.
Example
javascript
console.log("Hello JavaScript");Another example:
Example
javascript
showMessage();The semicolon ends the function call statement.
JavaScript can often work even if you do not write semicolons.
Example
javascript
let name = "Emma"
let age = 24
console.log(name)This code usually works because JavaScript automatically adds semicolons in many cases.
This behavior is called Automatic Semicolon Insertion.
For beginners, it is better to use semicolons.
They make code clear and help avoid unexpected errors.
Recommended style:
Example
javascript
let course = "JavaScript";
let level = "Beginner";
console.log(course);
console.log(level);Using semicolons consistently makes your code easier to read.
If you write multiple statements on one line, semicolons are required to separate them.
Example
javascript
let a = 10; let b = 20; let total = a + b;This works, but it is not very readable.
Better way:
Example
javascript
let a = 10;
let b = 20;
let total = a + b;Writing one statement per line is cleaner.
You usually do not need a semicolon after code blocks used with if, for, while, or functions.
Example
javascript
if (age >= 18) {
console.log("Allowed");
}No semicolon is needed after the closing curly brace.
Another example:
Example
javascript
function showMessage() {
console.log("Hello");
}No semicolon is required after a function declaration.
When arrays or objects are assigned to variables, the statement should end with a semicolon.
Example with array:
Example
javascript
let languages = ["HTML", "CSS", "JavaScript"];Example with object:
Example
javascript
let user = {
name: "John",
age: 28
};Here, the semicolon ends the variable assignment statement.
Complete Example
html
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>JavaScript Semicolons</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>JavaScript Semicolons</h1>
<p id="result"></p>
<script>
let firstName = "John";
let lastName = "Smith";
let age = 30;
let fullName = firstName + " " + lastName;
document.getElementById("result").innerHTML =
fullName + " is " + age + " years old.";
</script>
</body>
</html>Run the above example in the Try It Editor.
Try removing some semicolons and check whether the code still works.
Then add the semicolons again and keep the code clean.
; is used to end a JavaScript statement.if, for, while, or function declaration blocks.JavaScript semicolons help separate statements clearly.
Although JavaScript can often add semicolons automatically, it is better for beginners to write them manually.
Using semicolons makes your JavaScript code more organized, readable, and less confusing.