Open In App

Check a JavaScript Object is a DOM Object

Last Updated : 14 Oct, 2025
Comments
Improve
Suggest changes
2 Likes
Like
Report

In JavaScript, working with DOM (Document Object Model) elements is a common task. However, sometimes you may need to verify whether a given object is a DOM element or just a plain JavaScript object. Checking this correctly helps prevent runtime errors when performing DOM-specific operations.

Element

In HTML DOM, Element is the general base class for all objects. An Element object represents all HTML elements.

[Approach 1]: Using instanceof operator

To check if a JavaScript object is a DOM object, use the instanceof operator. This operator determines whether the object is an instance of the Element class. If true, it indicates the object is part of the DOM, enabling dynamic HTML manipulation.

Parameters:

  • Object: It stores the Object which need to be tested.
  • ObjectType: It stores the Object Type to be tested against.
html 
<!DOCTYPE HTML>
<html>

<head>
    <title>
        How to check a JavaScript Object is a DOM Object?
    </title>
</head>

<body>
    <div id="div1"></div>
    <div id="nonElem"></div>

    <script>
        // Check if object is a DOM Element
        function isDOM(Obj) {
            return Obj instanceof Element;
        }

        // Get elements
        let div = document.getElementById('div1');
        let nonElem = document.getElementById('nonElem');

        // Non-DOM object
        let x = 1;

        // Check and update innerHTML
        if (isDOM(div))
            div.innerHTML = "Div is detected as a DOM Object";

        if (!isDOM(x))
            nonElem.innerHTML = "x is detected as a non-DOM Object";
    </script>
</body>

</html>

Output:

Div is detected as a DOM Object
x is detected as a non-DOM Object

Syntax

Object instanceof ObjectType

[Approach 2]: Using nodeType Property

Every DOM node has a nodeType property that identifies the type of node. For element nodes, the value is 1:

JavaScript 
let element = document.querySelector('div');

if (element && element.nodeType === 1) {
  console.log("It's a DOM element");
} else {
  console.log("Not a DOM element");
}

Output:

It's a DOM element

V

vishodushaozae
Improve
Article Tags :

Explore

Lightbox