Random array using the modern Fisher–Yates shuffle algorithm in JavaScript

How to make sure the randomness is really random.

It might be tempting to use just Math.random() but it will not produce fair results.

const notRandomEnough = (array) => array.sort(() => Math.random() - 0.5);

The Fisher–Yates shuffle algorithm example in JavaScript

The Fisher–Yates shuffle is an algorithm for generating a random permutation of a finite sequence—in plain terms, the algorithm shuffles the sequence.

Fisher–Yates shuffle on Wikipedia.

See the example below for JavaScript implementation of the modern Fisher–Yates shuffle algorithm.

/**
 * Shuffle an array using the modern Fisher–Yates shuffle algorithm.
 *
 * https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher%E2%80%93Yates_shuffle#The_modern_algorithm
 *
 * @param {array} array
 * @returns {array}
 */
function shuffleArray(array) {
  let currentIndex = array.length;

  while (--currentIndex > 0) {
    const randomIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * (currentIndex + 1));

    [array[currentIndex], array[randomIndex]] = [array[randomIndex], array[currentIndex]];
  }

  return array;
}

Share

Thanks for reading. If you liked it, consider sharing it with friends via:

Let's be in touch!

Don't miss other useful posts. Level up your skills with useful UX, web development, and productivity tips via e-mail.

I want to be up to date via email!

No spam ever (I don't like spam, I don't send spam). You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

Don't you want to subscribe via e-mail?

See other ways to keep in touch.

Comments

If you want to comment, write a post on social media and @mention me. You can also write to me directly on the contact page.