Iterate Over a Callback N Times in JavaScript

Last Updated : 22 Aug, 2026

A callback function can be executed repeatedly by passing it to another function that controls the number of iterations. JavaScript provides loops, recursion, and array methods to achieve this.

  • Use a for loop for the simplest and most efficient approach.
  • Use recursion when the callback execution depends on a recursive condition.
  • Array.from() with forEach() can be used for index-based iterations.

Approach 1: Using a for Loop

A for loop is the simplest way to execute a callback a specific number of times.

JavaScript 
function iterateCallback(n, callback) {
    if (n <= 0) {
        console.log("Invalid number of iterations");
        return;
    }

    for (let i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
        callback(i);
    }
}

function printIndex(index) {
    console.log(`Iteration ${index}`);
}

iterateCallback(5, printIndex);

Output
Iteration 1
Iteration 2
Iteration 3
Iteration 4
Iteration 5

Syntax:

for (let i = 1; i <= n; i++) {
    callback(i);
}

Approach 2: Using Recursion

Recursion can repeatedly execute the callback until the specified number of iterations is reached.

JavaScript 
function iterateCallback(n, callback, index = 1) {
    if (index > n) {
        return;
    }

    callback(index);
    iterateCallback(n, callback, index + 1);
}

function printIndex(index) {
    console.log(`Iteration ${index}`);
}

iterateCallback(5, printIndex);

Output
Iteration 1
Iteration 2
Iteration 3
Iteration 4
Iteration 5

Approach 3: Using Array.from() and forEach()

Array.from() can create an array-like structure with n elements. The forEach() method can then execute the callback for each element.

JavaScript 
function iterateCallback(n, callback) {
    if (n <= 0) {
        console.log("Invalid number of iterations");
        return;
    }

    Array.from({ length: n }).forEach((_, index) => {
        callback(index + 1);
    });
}

function printIndex(index) {
    console.log(`Iteration ${index}`);
}

iterateCallback(5, printIndex);

Output
Iteration 1
Iteration 2
Iteration 3
Iteration 4
Iteration 5

Syntax:

Array.from({ length: n }).forEach((_, index) => callback(index + 1));

Approach 4: Using Array.from()

The callback can also be executed directly while creating the array with Array.from().

JavaScript 
function iterateCallback(n, callback) {
    if (n <= 0) {
        console.log("Invalid number of iterations");
        return;
    }

    Array.from({ length: n }, (_, index) => callback(index + 1));
}

function printIndex(index) {
    console.log(`Iteration ${index}`);
}

iterateCallback(5, printIndex);

Output
Iteration 1
Iteration 2
Iteration 3
Iteration 4
Iteration 5

Note: For most cases, the for loop is the clearest choice when the goal is simply to execute a callback exactly n times.

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