? JavaScript Break and Continue Statements

⚡ Quick Overview

In JavaScript loops and switch statements, the break and continue keywords give you fine control over how and when the loop runs.

break immediately stops the current loop or switch and exits it.
continue skips the current iteration and moves on to the next one.
They can also be used with labels to control nested loops.

? Key Concepts

Loop control – change the normal flow of for, while, and do...while loops.
Immediate exit – use break when you have found what you need and can stop looping early.
Skip logic – use continue to skip certain values (e.g., even numbers, invalid input).
Nested loops + labels – labels allow you to break or continue a specific outer loop.

? Syntax and Theory

Break syntax:

? break Statement Syntax

break;
break labelName;

Continue syntax:

? continue Statement Syntax

continue;
continue labelName;

When used without a label, break and continue only affect the innermost loop. With a label, they can target an outer loop.

? Code Examples

⛔ Break in a for Loop

for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
if (i === 5) {
break; // Exit loop when i is 5
}
console.log(i);
}
// Output: 0 1 2 3 4

⏭️ Continue in a for Loop

for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
if (i % 2 === 0) {
continue; // Skip even numbers
}
console.log(i);
}
// Output: 1 3 5 7 9

? Break in a while Loop

let count = 0;
while (true) {
console.log("Count is:", count);
count++;
if (count === 3) {
break; // Exit infinite loop when count reaches 3
}
}
// Output:
// Count is: 0
// Count is: 1
// Count is: 2

? Continue to Skip a Specific Value

for (let i = 1; i <= 10; i++) {
if (i === 7) {
continue; // Skip number 7
}
console.log(i);
}
// Output: 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10

? Nested Loops with break

for (let i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
for (let j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
if (j === 2) {
break; // Breaks inner loop when j is 2
}
console.log(`i=${i}, j=${j}`);
}
}
// Output:
// i=1, j=1
// i=2, j=1
// i=3, j=1

?️ Using Labels with break

outerLoop:
for (let i = 1; i <= 3; i++) {
for (let j = 1; j <= 3; j++) {
if (i === 2 && j === 2) {
break outerLoop; // Breaks the outer loop
}
console.log(`i=${i}, j=${j}`);
}
}
// Output:
// i=1, j=1
// i=1, j=2
// i=1, j=3
// i=2, j=1

? Live Output and Explanation

? How These Examples Behave

In the first for loop, the loop stops completely when i reaches 5, so only 0 to 4 are printed.
In the continue example, all even numbers are skipped, so only odd numbers appear in the output.
The while (true) loop would be infinite, but break stops it safely once count becomes 3.
In the nested loop without labels, break only affects the inner loop, so the outer loop continues with the next value of i.
In the labeled example, break outerLoop stops the outer loop entirely as soon as i === 2 and j === 2.

? Common Use Cases

Stopping a search once a matching element is found in an array or list.
Skipping invalid or incomplete user inputs inside a processing loop.
Breaking out of nested loops when a certain condition is met (using labels).
Preventing infinite loops by using break when a safe exit condition occurs.

? Tips and Best Practices

break exits the entire current loop or switch immediately.
continue skips the current iteration but keeps the loop running.
Use labels carefully and only when needed, to avoid confusing control flow.
Keep loop conditions and updates correct to avoid infinite loops.
Avoid overusing break and continue; if logic feels complex, consider refactoring.
Comment your loops when using labels so future readers understand the control flow.

? Try It Yourself

Write a loop that prints numbers 1 to 10 but breaks the loop if the number is greater than 6.
Create a loop that skips all multiples of 3 using continue.
Use nested loops and a label to break out of the outer loop from inside the inner loop.
Modify one of the examples to use continue with a label and observe how control jumps to the next outer iteration.