In a corporate training program, one of the team members asked about using the break statement in a For Loop in TypeScript. In this tutorial, I will explain how to use the break
statement in TypeScript for loops.
What is the Break Statement in TypeScript?
The break
statement in TypeScript allows you to terminate the execution of a loop prematurely. This can be particularly useful when you need to exit a loop based on a specific condition, rather than iterating through the entire loop.
Why Use the TypeScript Break Statement?
Using the break
statement can improve the performance of your code by preventing unnecessary iterations. It also enhances readability by clearly indicating the exit point of a loop. This is especially useful in scenarios where you are searching for a specific value or condition.
Syntax of the Break Statement
The syntax for the break
statement in TypeScript is easy. It is used within the body of a loop (such as for
, while
, or do...while
loops) to exit the loop when a certain condition is met.
for (let i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
if (i === 5) {
break;
}
console.log(i);
}
In this example, the loop will terminate when i
equals 5, and the numbers 0 to 4 will be printed to the console.
Here is the exact output in the screenshot below:

Check out Continue Statement in TypeScript For Loops
Examples of Using the Break Statement in TypeScript For Loops
Now, let me show you some examples to help you understand how to use the break statement in TypeScript for loops.
Example 1: Finding a Specific Value in an Array
Consider an array of city names in the USA. Suppose you want to find the city “Chicago” and stop the search once it is found.
let cities = ["New York", "Los Angeles", "Chicago", "Houston", "Phoenix"];
for (let i = 0; i < cities.length; i++) {
if (cities[i] === "Chicago") {
console.log("Found Chicago at index " + i);
break;
}
console.log("Checking city: " + cities[i]);
}
In this example, the loop will break as soon as “Chicago” is found, preventing further unnecessary iterations.
I executed the above code and you can see the exact output in the screenshot below:

Read Do-While Loop in TypeScript
Example 2: Validating User Input
Imagine you are validating a list of user ages and want to stop the validation as soon as you find an invalid age (e.g., a negative number).
let ages = [25, 30, -5, 45, 50];
for (let i = 0; i < ages.length; i++) {
if (ages[i] < 0) {
console.log("Invalid age found at index " + i);
break;
}
console.log("Valid age: " + ages[i]);
}
In this example, the loop will terminate when it encounters the invalid age -5
.
Example 3: Optimizing Search in Large Data Sets
When dealing with large data sets, it is often efficient to terminate the search as soon as the desired result is found. For instance, searching for a specific product ID in a large inventory list.
let productIDs = [101, 202, 303, 404, 505, 606];
let targetID = 404;
for (let i = 0; i < productIDs.length; i++) {
if (productIDs[i] === targetID) {
console.log("Product ID " + targetID + " found at index " + i);
break;
}
console.log("Checking product ID: " + productIDs[i]);
}
In this case, the search stops once the target product ID is found, saving time and computational resources.
Read How to Break Out of Loops in TypeScript?
Best Practices for Using the Break Statement
- Clarity and Readability: Use the
break
statement to make your code more readable by clearly indicating where and why the loop should terminate. - Avoid Overuse: While the
break
statement is powerful, overusing it can make your code harder to understand. Use it judiciously. - Commenting: Always comment your code to explain why a
break
statement is used, especially in complex loops.
Conclusion
The break
statement in TypeScript is used for controlling loop execution. In this tutorial, I explained how to use the break statements in TypeScript for loops. I have also shown you some examples of how it works.
You may also like:
- How to Break Out of a forEach Loop in TypeScript?
- TypeScript forEach Loop with Index
- How to Use for…of Loops in TypeScript?
I’m Bijay Kumar Sahoo, and I am honored to be awarded the Microsoft MVP. With over 18 years of experience in the IT industry, I got a chance to work on SharePoint Framework (SPFx) development, TypeScript, React, JavaScript, etc. My journey has taken me through esteemed organizations such as TCS, HP, and KPIT, where I have honed my skills and expanded my expertise. Check out more about me here.