JavaScript String Comparison

Written by Swapnil RajaPublished 24 Aug 2026

Strings compare character by character using their character codes.

This is why "Z" < "a" is true.

It also explains why sorting names can produce odd results.

Example

javascript

console.log("apple" < "banana");
console.log("Z" < "a");

Both are true.

Every uppercase letter comes before every lowercase one.

How Comparison Works

Characters are compared one at a time, left to right.

The first difference decides the result.

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Complete Example

html

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
  <title>JavaScript String Comparison</title>
</head>
<body>

  <h1>String Comparison</h1>

  <p id="out"></p>

  <script>
    const names = ["Zebra", "apple", "Mango"];

    const plain = names.slice().sort();
    const proper = names.slice().sort(function (a, b) {
      return a.localeCompare(b);
    });

    document.getElementById("out").innerHTML =
      "Default sort: " + plain.join(", ") +
      "<br>localeCompare sort: " + proper.join(", ") +
      "<br>Z < a: " + ("Z" < "a");
  </script>

</body>
</html>

JavaScript String Comparison

Example

How Comparison Works

Syntax

Equality Is Exact

Example

Sorting Surprises

Example

Sorting Properly

Example

What localeCompare Returns

Example

Comparing Fairly

Example

Complete Example

Try It Yourself

Important Points

Conclusion