JavaScript continue Statement

The continue statement skips the current iteration of the loop and proceeds to the next iteration.

// display odd numbers

for (let i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
    // skip the iteration if i is even
    if (i % 2 === 0) {
        continue;
    }
    console.log(i);
}

// Output:
// 1
// 3
// 5

Working of JavaScript continue Statement

Note: The continue statement is usually used inside decision-making statements such as if...else.

Example 1: JavaScript continue With for Loop

We can use the continue statement to skip iterations in a for loop. For example,

for (let i = 1; i <= 10; ++i) {

    // skip iteration if value of
    // i is between 4 and 9
    if (i > 4 && i < 9) {
        continue;
    }
    console.log(i);
}

Output

1
2
3
4
9
10

In the above example, we used a for loop to print the value of the variable i in each iteration. Notice the statement,

if (i > 4 && i < 9) {
    continue;
}

Here, the continue statement is executed whenever i becomes more than 4 and less than 9.

Hence, the output skips the values 5, 6, 7, and 8.

Example 2: JavaScript continue With while Loop

We can also use the continue statement with a while loop. For example,

var num = 1;

while (num <= 10) {

    // skip iteration if num is even
    if (num % 2 === 0) {
        ++num;
        continue;
    }

    console.log(num);
    ++num;
}

Output

1
3
5
7
9

In the above example, we used a while loop to print odd numbers from 1 to 10. Notice the line,

if (num % 2 === 0) {
    ++num;
    continue
}

When the number is even,

1. The value of num is incremented for the next iteration.
2. The continue statement then skips the current iteration.

Notice that we have increased the value of num both inside and outside the if statement.

Inside the if Block

You must increase the value of num before the continue statement is executed. Otherwise, you will end up creating an infinite loop because num <= 10 will always be true.

Outside the if Block

When the if block is not executed, your code to increase num will also be skipped. Thus, you must increase num again outside the if block to prevent an infinite loop.

More on JavaScript continue

JavaScript continue With Nested Loop.

When continue is used inside two nested loops, continue affects only the inner loop. For example,

// nested for loops

// outer loop
for (let i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {

    // inner loop
    for (let j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
        if (j == 2) {
            continue;
        }
        console.log(`i = ${i}, j = ${j}`);
    }
}

Output

i = 1, j = 1
i = 1, j = 3
i = 2, j = 1
i = 2, j = 3
i = 3, j = 1
i = 3, j = 3

In the above program, the continue statement only skips the iteration of the inner loop when j == 2.

Using continue with labels.

In nested loops, it's possible to skip iterations of the outer loop by using a labeled continue statement.

Let's look at an example.

outerloop: for (let i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
  
    innerloop: for (let j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {

        if (j === 2) {
            continue outerloop;
        }

        console.log("i = " + i + ", j = " + j);
    }
}

Output

i = 1, j = 1
i = 2, j = 1
i = 3, j = 1

In the above example, we have labeled our loops as:

outerloop: for (let i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {...}
innerloop: for (let j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {...}

This helps us identify the loops. Notice the use of the labeled continue statement:

if (j === 2) {
    continue outerloop;
}

This skips the current iteration of the outerloop whenever j === 2.

Also Read:

• JavaScript break Statement
• JavaScript for Loop
• JavaScript while Loop