# How to divide an array in half in JavaScript

> Learn how to divide an array in half in JavaScript using slice() together with Math.ceil() on the length, so odd-length arrays split down the middle.

Author: Flavio Copes | Published: 2020-04-18 | Updated: 2022-07-17 | Canonical: https://flaviocopes.com/how-to-cut-array-half-javascript/

How can you divide an array in 2 parts, divided exactly in the middle? 

Use the Array instance [`slice()`](https://flaviocopes.com/javascript-string-slice/) method:

```js
const list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]
const half = Math.ceil(list.length / 2);    

const firstHalf = list.slice(0, half)
const secondHalf = list.slice(half)
```

If the list contains an even number of items, the result is split with exactly half the items.

If the number is odd, for example 

```
[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
```

The result will be 

```
[ 1, 2, 3 ]
[ 4, 5 ]
```