How to remove the first item from an array in JavaScript
Łukasz Holeczek
Follow Łukasz Holeczek on GitHub
Connect with Łukasz Holeczek on LinkedIn
Follow Łukasz Holeczek on X (Twitter)
Thursday, September 18, 2025
Removing the first element from JavaScript arrays is a common operation when processing queues, managing dynamic lists, or handling user interface components that need to update their content.
As the creator of CoreUI, a widely used open-source UI library, I’ve implemented this pattern extensively in components like breadcrumbs, notification lists, and data tables where elements need to be removed from the beginning.
From my expertise, the most efficient and built-in solution is using the shift() method, which removes and returns the first element.
This approach is clean, performant, and specifically designed for this exact use case.