---
title: "Difference between \"it\" and \"test\" in Jest"  
description: "Difference between \"it\" and \"test\" in Jest"  
author: "Revati S Misra"  
published: 2023-07-20  
updated: 2023-07-20  
canonical: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159175/difference-between-it-and-test-in-jest  
category: "javascript"  
tags: ["testing", "javascript"]  
reading_time: 1 minute  

---

# Difference between "it" and "test" in Jest

What is the [difference](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/157114/good-news-or-bad-news-and-the-difference-is) between 'it' and '[test](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/1427/explosive-facts-about-trinity-test-world-s-first-nuclear-bomb)' in [Jest](https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159176/unit-test-in-nodejs-using-jest)?

## Replies

### Reply by Aryan Kumar

The `it()` and `test()` functions in Jest are both used to define tests. However, there is a subtle difference between the two.

The `it()` function is an alias for the `test()` function. This means that you can use either function to define a test. However, the `it()` function is often used to define more readable tests.

For example, the following two code snippets are equivalent:

```plaintext
test("should return the sum of two numbers", () => {
  const result = myFunction(10, 20);
  expect(result).toBe(30);
});

it("should return the sum of two numbers", () => {
  const result = myFunction(10, 20);
  expect(result).toBe(30);
});
```

The first code snippet uses the `test()` function, while the second code snippet uses the `it()` function. The second code snippet is more readable because it uses a sentence-like structure.

Ultimately, the choice of whether to use the `it()` or `test()` function is up to you. However, the `it()` function is often a good choice for creating more readable tests.


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Original Source: https://www.mindstick.com/forum/159175/difference-between-it-and-test-in-jest

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