Symbol.prototype.toString()

The toString() method returns a string representing the specified Symbol object.

Syntax

Symbol().toString()

Return value

A string representing the specified Symbol object.

Description

The Symbol object overrides the toString method of the Object object; it does not inherit Object.prototype.toString(). For Symbol objects, the toString method returns a string representation of the object.

No string concatenation

While you can call toString() on Symbols, you cannot use string concatenation with them:

Symbol('foo') + 'bar'        // TypeError: Can't convert symbol to string

Examples

Using toString

Symbol('desc').toString()    // "Symbol(desc)"

// well-known symbols
Symbol.iterator.toString()   // "Symbol(Symbol.iterator)

// global symbols
Symbol.for('foo').toString() // "Symbol(foo)"

Specifications

Specification
ECMAScript (ECMA-262)
The definition of 'Symbol.prototype.toString' in that specification.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobileServer
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung InternetNode.js
toStringChrome Full support 38Edge Full support 12Firefox Full support 36IE No support NoOpera Full support 25Safari Full support 9WebView Android Full support 38Chrome Android Full support 38Firefox Android Full support 36Opera Android Full support 25Safari iOS Full support 9Samsung Internet Android Full support 3.0nodejs Full support 0.12

Legend

Full support
Full support
No support
No support

See also