Math.clz32

The Math.clz32() function returns the number of leading zero bits in the 32-bit binary representation of a number.

Syntax

Math.clz32(x)

Parameters

x

A number.

Return value

The number of leading zero bits in the 32-bit binary representation of the given number.

Description

"clz32" is short for CountLeadingZeroes32.

If x is not a number, then it will be converted to a number first, then converted to a 32-bit unsigned integer.

If the converted 32-bit unsigned integer is 0, then return 32, because all bits are 0.

This function is particularly useful for systems that compile to JS, like Emscripten.

Examples

Using Math.clz32()

Math.clz32(1);                // 31
Math.clz32(1000);             // 22
Math.clz32();                 // 32

[NaN, Infinity, -Infinity, 0, -0, null, undefined, 'foo', {}, []].filter(
function(n) {
  return Math.clz32(n) !== 32
});                           // []

Math.clz32(true);             // 31
Math.clz32(3.5);              // 30

Polyfill

The following polyfill is the most efficient.

if (!Math.clz32) {
  Math.clz32 = function(x) {
    // Let n be ToUint32(x).
    // Let p be the number of leading zero bits in 
    // the 32-bit binary representation of n.
    // Return p.    
    if (x == null || x === 0) {
      return 32;
    }
    return 31 - Math.floor(Math.log(x >>> 0) * Math.LOG2E);
  };
}

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• Math
• Math.imul