Numeric Separators in Javascript to Improve Readability of Large Numbers

Including a large number in Javascript code can hamper readability, and this may lead to possible bugs. Situation is even worse when there are repeating digits in the number.

// Developer can read this number incorrectly and this may lead to bugs
var n = 2565648775657678;

// difficult to read
let a = BigInt(99999999999999999999);

As a solution to this, numeric separators have been introduced in Javascript. An underscore character _ can be included anywhere between the number to improve readability. Multiple underscore characters can be used.

These separators can be used in appropriate places, for example, digits can be grouped per thousand.

// This is much easier to read
var n = 2_565_648_775_657_678;

let a = BigInt(99_999_999_999_999_999_999);

Obviously numeric separators are just for code readability, and will not change the value of the number.

Notes

Usage of numeric separators are bound to some limitations :

• Multiple underscores cannot be included one after the other.

  // not allowed
  var a = 4554__88978_6;
  

• Underscore cannot be included at the end of the number.

  // not allowed
  var a = 1111111111111111_;
  

• Underscores cannot be included after a leading 0.

  // not allowed
  var a = 0_333333333333;