JavaScript BigInt

Subject: JavaScript

BigInt is a built-in JavaScript data type designed to handle integers larger than the safe limit of the Number type (which is 2⁵³ - 1). Introduced in ECMAScript 2020, BigInt solves issues with precision when dealing with very large integers.

Why Use BigInt?

JavaScript's Number type safely represents integers only between:

  • Number.MIN_SAFE_INTEGER (-9007199254740991)
  • Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER (9007199254740991)

For calculations involving integers outside this range—such as cryptography, scientific computations, or precise financial data—BigInt is necessary.

Creating a BigInt

There are two ways to create a BigInt:

  1. Using the n suffix:
  1. Using the BigInt constructor:

BigInt vs Number

BigInt Arithmetic

You can use arithmetic operators with BigInt:

Important Rules

  • You cannot mix BigInt and Number types directly in arithmetic:
  • BigInt does not support decimals. Division truncates the result:
  • Use typeof to check for BigInt:

Use Cases of BigInt

  • Cryptography and hashing
  • Handling large financial values
  • Working with 64-bit integers from databases or APIs
  • Blockchain and high-precision timestamps

Key Takeaways

  • BigInt enables safe manipulation of integers beyond Number's safe range.
  • Create BigInt values with n suffix or BigInt() constructor.
  • Mixing BigInt with Number in expressions requires explicit conversion.
  • No decimal support; division results are truncated.
  • Ideal for high-precision integer arithmetic scenarios.
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