# max(by:) Publishes the maximum value received from the upstream publisher, using the provided ordering closure. ``` func max(by areInIncreasingOrder: @escaping (Self.Output, Self.Output) -> Bool) -> Publishers.Comparison ``` ## Parameters `areInIncreasingOrder` A closure that receives two elements and returns true if they’re in increasing order. ## Return Value A publisher that publishes the maximum value received from the upstream publisher, after the upstream publisher finishes. ## Discussion Use [`max(by:)`](/documentation/Combine/Publisher/max(by:)) to determine the maximum value of elements received from the upstream publisher based on an ordering closure you specify. In the example below, an array publishes enumeration elements representing playing card ranks. The [`max(by:)`](/documentation/Combine/Publisher/max(by:)) operator compares the current and next elements using the `rawValue` property of each enumeration value in the user supplied closure and prints the maximum value found after publishing all of the elements. ``` enum Rank: Int { case ace = 1, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, jack, queen, king } let cards: [Rank] = [.five, .queen, .ace, .eight, .jack] cancellable = cards.publisher .max { return $0.rawValue > $1.rawValue } .sink { print("\($0)") } // Prints: "queen" ``` After this publisher receives a request for more than 0 items, it requests unlimited items from its upstream publisher. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)