console.assert()

The console.assert() method writes an error message to the console if the assertion is false. If the assertion is true, nothing happens.

Note: This feature is available in Web Workers.

Syntax

console.assert(assertion, obj1 [, obj2, ..., objN]);
console.assert(assertion, msg [, subst1, ..., substN]); // C-like message formatting

Parameters

assertion
Any boolean expression. If the assertion is false, the message is written to the console.
obj1 ... objN
A list of JavaScript objects to output. The string representations of each of these objects are appended together in the order listed and output.
msg
A JavaScript string containing zero or more substitution strings.
subst1 ... substN
JavaScript objects with which to replace substitution strings within msg. This parameter gives you additional control over the format of the output.

Examples

The following code example demonstrates the use of a JavaScript object following the assertion:

const errorMsg = 'the # is not even';
for (let number = 2; number <= 5; number += 1) {
    console.log('the # is ' + number);
    console.assert(number % 2 === 0, {number: number, errorMsg: errorMsg});
    // or, using ES2015 object property shorthand:
    // console.assert(number % 2 === 0, {number, errorMsg});
}
// output:
// the # is 2
// the # is 3
// Assertion failed: {number: 3, errorMsg: "the # is not even"}
// the # is 4
// the # is 5
// Assertion failed: {number: 5, errorMsg: "the # is not even"}

Note that, while a string containing a substitution string works as a parameter for console.log in Node and many, if not most, browsers...

console.log('the word is %s', 'foo');
// output: the word is foo

...the use of such a string does not currently work as intended as a parameter for console.assert in all browsers:

console.assert(false, 'the word is %s', 'foo');
// correct output in Node.js and some browsers
//     (e.g. Firefox v60.0.2):
// Assertion failed: the word is foo
// incorrect output in some browsers
//     (e.g. Chrome v67.0.3396.87):
// Assertion failed: the word is %s foo

See Outputting text to the console in the documentation of console for further details.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
Console API
The definition of 'console.assert()' in that specification.
Living Standard Initial definition

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
assertChrome Full support 1Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 28IE Full support 8Opera Full support 11Safari Full support 4WebView Android Full support 1Chrome Android Full support 18Firefox Android Full support 28Opera Android Full support 11Safari iOS Full support 3.2Samsung Internet Android Full support 1.0

Legend

Full support
Full support