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JS BigInt

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JavaScript is very flexible when it comes to numbers, but it has an important limitation. The regular Number type can safely represent integers only up to a certain size. When numbers grow beyond that limit, calculations can become inaccurate. To solve this problem, JavaScript introduced the BigInt data type. BigInt allows you to work with very large whole numbers safely and precisely, which is essential in applications like finance, cryptography, large counters, and data processing.

In this chapter, you will learn what BigInt is, why it is needed, how it works, how to create and use BigInt values, practical examples, common mistakes, best practices, and real-world use cases.

What Is BigInt

BigInt is a special numeric data type in JavaScript that represents whole numbers larger than the safe limit of the Number type. Unlike regular numbers, BigInt values can grow as large as the available memory allows, without losing precision.

A BigInt value is created by appending n to the end of an integer literal or by using the BigInt() function.

let largeValue = 123456789012345678901234567890n;

This n tells JavaScript that the value is a BigInt and not a regular number.

Why BigInt Is Important

JavaScript numbers are stored using a floating-point format. Because of this, integers larger than 9007199254740991 cannot be represented accurately.

let maxSafe = Number.MAX_SAFE_INTEGER;
console.log(maxSafe + 1);
console.log(maxSafe + 2);

Both results may look the same, which is a serious issue when precision matters. BigInt solves this problem by storing integers exactly.

Using BigInt helps you:

Work with extremely large integers safely
Avoid rounding errors in large calculations
Handle financial and scientific data accurately
Implement counters and IDs that exceed normal limits
Build systems that require precise integer arithmetic

Creating BigInt Values

Using the n Suffix

The simplest way to create a BigInt is by adding n at the end of an integer.

let population = 1400000000000n;
console.log(typeof population); // bigint

Using the BigInt() Function

You can also create BigInt values using the BigInt() function.

let distance = BigInt("98765432109876543210");
console.log(distance);

This approach is useful when numbers come from strings, such as API responses or user input.

BigInt vs Number

BigInt and Number are different data types and cannot be mixed directly.

let count = 10n;
let value = 5;

// console.log(count + value); // Error

To perform operations, both values must be of the same type.

let result = count + BigInt(value);
console.log(result);

This strict separation prevents accidental precision loss.

Arithmetic Operations with BigInt

BigInt supports most arithmetic operations, similar to regular numbers.

Addition

let scoreAarohi = 9000000000000000000n;
let scoreBhavya = 8000000000000000000n;

let totalScore = scoreAarohi + scoreBhavya;
console.log(totalScore);

Subtraction

let totalSeats = 100000000000n;
let bookedSeats = 25000000000n;

let remainingSeats = totalSeats - bookedSeats;
console.log(remainingSeats);

Multiplication

let pages = 2000000000n;
let copies = 3000n;

let totalPages = pages * copies;
console.log(totalPages);

Division

Division with BigInt always returns a whole number. Any decimal part is removed.

let totalMarks = 100n;
let students = 3n;

let average = totalMarks / students;
console.log(average); // 33n

This behavior is important to remember when precision matters.

Modulus

let totalFiles = 123456789n;
let batchSize = 1000n;

let remainingFiles = totalFiles % batchSize;
console.log(remainingFiles);

Comparison with BigInt

BigInt values can be compared using comparison operators.

let viewsToday = 500000000000n;
let viewsYesterday = 450000000000n;

console.log(viewsToday > viewsYesterday);

You can also compare BigInt with Number using relational operators, but equality checks should be handled carefully.

console.log(10n == 10);  // true
console.log(10n === 10); // false

Converting Between BigInt and Other Types

BigInt to String

let accountBalance = 9999999999999999n;
let textBalance = accountBalance.toString();

console.log(textBalance);
console.log(typeof textBalance);

BigInt to Number

Conversion to Number is possible, but risky if the value is too large.

let bigValue = 12345678901234567890n;
let normalValue = Number(bigValue);

console.log(normalValue);

If the BigInt exceeds the safe limit, precision may be lost.

String to BigInt

let inputValue = "8888888888888888888";
let convertedValue = BigInt(inputValue);

console.log(convertedValue);

Practical Examples

Example 1: Large Student ID

let studentIdAditi = 2025123456789012345n;
console.log("Student ID: " + studentIdAditi.toString());

Example 2: National Population Counter

let populationCount = 1400000000000n;

for (let year = 1; year <= 3; year++) {
    populationCount += 10000000n;
}

console.log(populationCount);

Example 3: Bank Balance Calculation

let balance = 500000000000000n;
let deposit = 25000000000000n;

balance = balance + deposit;
console.log("Updated Balance: " + balance);

Example 4: Large Loop Counter

let counter = 0n;

while (counter < 5n) {
    console.log("Count: " + counter);
    counter++;
}

Example 5: Blockchain Style Block Number

let currentBlock = 123456789012345678n;
let nextBlock = currentBlock + 1n;

console.log(nextBlock);

Common Mistakes

Mixing BigInt and Number in arithmetic operations
Expecting decimal results from BigInt division
Converting large BigInt values to Number without checking size
Forgetting to add n to integer literals
Using BigInt for values that do not require it

Best Practices

Use BigInt only when large integer precision is required
Keep Number and BigInt logic separate
Convert types explicitly when needed
Avoid unnecessary BigInt conversions for performance reasons
Document BigInt usage clearly in complex codebases

Real-World Applications

BigInt is used in many real-world scenarios:

Financial systems with very large balances
Cryptography and security-related calculations
Large database identifiers and counters
Scientific computations involving huge integers
Blockchain and distributed ledger systems

Summary of JS BigInt

BigInt is a powerful addition to JavaScript that allows you to work with extremely large whole numbers safely and accurately. It removes the limitations of the standard Number type when precision matters most. By understanding how to create BigInt values, perform operations, convert types, and follow best practices, you can confidently handle large-scale numeric data in modern JavaScript applications.

Practice Questions

Q1. How do you declare a BigInt value 12345678901234567890123n and store it in a variable named largeNumber?

Q2. How do you create a BigInt using the BigInt() function with a string value?

Q3. What is the output of adding two BigInts 100n and 200n?

Q4. How do you subtract 10n from 25n and store the result?

Q5. How do you divide 25n by 4n and what is the result?

Q6. How do you convert a regular number 100 into a BigInt before adding to 1000n?

Q7. Why does mixing BigInt and Number directly in arithmetic cause a TypeError?

Q8. How do you find the type of a BigInt variable using typeof?

Q9. How do you check whether 10n == 10 returns true or false and why?

Q10. How do you find the remainder when dividing 55n by 6n using the % operator?

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Programming Language

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Other Languages

Programming Language

Web Development

Other Languages

JavaScript

JS BigInt

What Is BigInt

Why BigInt Is Important

Creating BigInt Values

Using the n Suffix

Using the BigInt() Function

BigInt vs Number

Arithmetic Operations with BigInt

Addition

Subtraction

Multiplication

Division

Modulus

Comparison with BigInt

Converting Between BigInt and Other Types

BigInt to String

BigInt to Number

String to BigInt

Practical Examples

Example 1: Large Student ID

Example 2: National Population Counter

Example 3: Bank Balance Calculation

Example 4: Large Loop Counter

Example 5: Blockchain Style Block Number

Common Mistakes

Best Practices

Real-World Applications

Summary of JS BigInt

Practice Questions

Try a Short Quiz.

No quizzes available.

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