# Get a random item from an array

Return one item at a random index.

Canonical: https://1loc.dev/random/get-a-random-item-from-an-array/
Version: 1.0.0
Runtime: JavaScript · Node.js 22 / modern browsers
Verification: Usage lines executed in Node.js 22 and headless Chromium; no external services
Updated: 2026-10-28

## Implementation

```javascript
function randomItem(values) { return values[Math.floor(Math.random() * values.length)]; }
```

## Usage

```javascript
['ana', 'rui', 'lia'].includes(randomItem(['ana', 'rui', 'lia'])); // → true
randomItem([]); // → undefined
```

Lines marked → were executed in Node.js 22 and in headless Chromium, and each result was compared with the value shown. Lines marked e.g. are illustrative.

## Limits

- An empty array returns undefined. The original’s | 0 behaves like Math.floor only below 2³¹.

The function does not validate its arguments. Add checks where it receives untrusted input.

## Source and license

Original: https://github.com/phuocng/1loc/blob/14b481cf60dff1620ab1bb99a43b1f68068cdd9b/contents/get-a-random-item-from-an-array.mdx
Author: Nguyen Huu Phuoc and original contributors
Contributors: jonrandy
Source commit: 14b481cf60dff1620ab1bb99a43b1f68068cdd9b
Copyright (c) 2020 phuoc-ng
License: MIT — https://1loc.dev/licenses/
Maintainer: Oveyon
Modifications: Documented as a reference with executed usage lines. Original MDX retained as inert source evidence.