var test = ['b', 'c', 'd', 'a']; var len = test.length; var indices = new Array(len); for (var i = 0; i < len; ++i) indices[i] = i; indices.sort(function (a, b) { return test[a] < test[b] ? -1 : test[a] > test[b] ? 1 : 0; }); console.log(indices);