is_sorted() in C++ STL

Last Updated : 3 Mar, 2026

In C++, is_sorted() is a built-in function used to check whether the elements in the given range are sorted or not in ascending order by default. You can also provide a custom comparator to check for descending order or any other sorting criteria.

For example: Let's create a vector and check if the elements are sorted using is_sorted() method.

C++
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    vector<int> v = {1, 5, 6, 8, 9};

    if (is_sorted(v.begin(), v.end()))
        cout << "Sorted";
    else
        cout << "Not Sorted";
    return 0;
}

Output
Sorted

Syntax

is_sorted() is defined inside <algorithm> header file.

is_sorted(first, last, comp);

Parameters:

  • first: Iterator to the first element of given range.
  • last: Iterator to the element just after the last element of given range.
  • comp(optional): It is a custom comparison function used to change the sorting order to be checked. By default, it uses the < operator which check if the range is sorted in ascending order.

Return Value: Returns true, if the range is sorted otherwise it returns false.

Examples of is_sorted()

The following examples demonstrates the use of is_sorted() method in different scenario:

Check if an Array is Sorted in Ascending Order

C++
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    int arr[] = {4, 7, 8, 9};
    int n = sizeof(arr)/sizeof(arr[0]);

    // Check whether array is sorted in ascending
  	// order
    if (is_sorted(arr, arr + n))
        cout << "Sorted";
    else
        cout << "Not Sorted";
    return 0;
}

Output
Given Array is Sorted

Check if Part of a Vector is Sorted

We can check if a given vector or array is sorted within a specified range.

C++
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    vector<int> v = {11, 25, 6, 8, 9, 10};

    if (is_sorted(v.begin()+2, v.end()))
        cout << "Sorted";
    else
        cout << "Not Sorted";
    return 0;
}

Output
Sorted

Explanation: is_sorted(v.begin()+2, v.end()) check if the vector is sorted from index '2' till the end.

Check if a List is Sorted in Descending Order

C++
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

// Comparator function
bool comp(int a, int b) {
    return a > b;
}

int main() {
    list<int> l = {9, 7, 6, 3};

    // Check vector Sorted in descending order
    if (is_sorted(l.begin(), l.end(), comp))
        cout << "Sorted";
    else
        cout << "Not Sorted";
    return 0;
}

Output
Given Vector is Sorted

Check if Vector of String is in Lexicographically Ordered

C++
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
    vector<string> v = {"hi", "geeks", "welcome", "to" "geeksforgeeks"};

    // Check vector sorted in user
    // defined order or not
    if (is_sorted(v.begin(), v.end()))
        cout << "Sorted";
    else
        cout << "Not Sorted";
    return 0;
}

Output
Given Vector is Sorted

Check if Set is Sorted in Descending Order

C++
#include <bits/stdc++.h>
using namespace std;

// Comparator function
bool comp(int a, int b) {
    return a > b;
}

int main() {
    set<int> s = {9, 7, 6, 3};

    // Check vector Sorted in descending order
    if (is_sorted(s.begin(), s.end(), comp))
        cout << "Sorted";
    else
        cout << "Not Sorted";
    return 0;
}

Output
Not Sorted

Explanation: The set is already sorted in ascending order. We have used is_sorted() with custom comparator to check if the set is in descending order.

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