AlgorithmsSortingRuns in your browserReviewed October 1, 2026

Selection Sort Visualizer

Find the smallest remaining value and move it to the front, one position at a time. Interactive step-by-step animation with JavaScript code, complexity and front-end use cases.

Localprivate by defaultFastno sign-up path

SortingTime: O(n²)Space: O(1)

Numbers (2 to 30, comma separated)

Step 1 / 73

Selection sort finds the smallest remaining value and puts it at the front, one position at a time.

comparing
swapped / moved
pivot / minimum
sorted

JavaScript

1function selectionSort(arr) {
2  for (let i = 0; i < arr.length - 1; i++) {
3    let min = i;
4    for (let j = i + 1; j < arr.length; j++) {
5      if (arr[j] < arr[min]) min = j;
6    }
7    if (min !== i) [arr[i], arr[min]] = [arr[min], arr[i]];
8  }
9  return arr;
10}

Tip: use the arrow keys to step and the space bar to play or pause.

Loading animation...

Selection Sort Visualization and Animation

Find the smallest remaining value and move it to the front, one position at a time. Scan the unsorted part to find the smallest value. Swap it with the first unsorted position. Repeat for the rest of the list. Time complexity: O(n²). Space complexity: O(1). Makes the fewest swaps of the simple sorts. A good first step to understand sorting before merge and quick sort.

How to use Selection Sort Visualizer

Scan the unsorted part to find the smallest value.
Swap it with the first unsorted position.
Repeat for the rest of the list.
Press Play, or step through with the arrow buttons and change the input to see how it reacts.

Questions

What is Selection Sort?

Find the smallest remaining value and move it to the front, one position at a time.

What is the time complexity of Selection Sort?

Time: O(n²). Space: O(1).

Where do front-end developers use Selection Sort?

Makes the fewest swaps of the simple sorts. A good first step to understand sorting before merge and quick sort.

Does this upload my data?

No. This converter runs in your browser for ordinary use, so the input is not sent to a backend by this tool.

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