How to Use @Order Annotation in JUnit for Test Execution Order

In JUnit 5, use the @Order annotation on test methods or test classes to specify the order in which tests run. Combine it with @TestMethodOrder on the test class to activate ordering. Lower @Order values run first.

Syntax

The @Order annotation takes an integer value that defines the execution priority of a test method or class. It must be used together with @TestMethodOrder on the test class to enable ordering.

• @TestMethodOrder(MethodOrderer.OrderAnnotation.class): Activates ordering by @Order.
• @Order(int value): Specifies the order; smaller numbers run first.

java

import org.junit.jupiter.api.*;

@TestMethodOrder(MethodOrderer.OrderAnnotation.class)
class OrderedTests {

    @Test
    @Order(1)
    void firstTest() {
        System.out.println("First test");
    }

    @Test
    @Order(2)
    void secondTest() {
        System.out.println("Second test");
    }
}

Example

This example shows two test methods with @Order annotations. The test with @Order(1) runs before the one with @Order(2). The @TestMethodOrder annotation on the class enables this behavior.

java

import org.junit.jupiter.api.*;

@TestMethodOrder(MethodOrderer.OrderAnnotation.class)
class ExampleOrderTest {

    @Test
    @Order(2)
    void testSecond() {
        System.out.println("Running second test");
        Assertions.assertTrue(true);
    }

    @Test
    @Order(1)
    void testFirst() {
        System.out.println("Running first test");
        Assertions.assertTrue(true);
    }
}

Output

Running first test
Running second test

Common Pitfalls

Common mistakes when using @Order include:

• Not adding @TestMethodOrder(MethodOrderer.OrderAnnotation.class) on the test class, so @Order is ignored.
• Using duplicate order values, which can cause unpredictable execution order.
• Assuming test order is guaranteed without @Order and @TestMethodOrder.

java

import org.junit.jupiter.api.*;

// Wrong: Missing @TestMethodOrder, so @Order is ignored
class WrongOrderTest {

    @Test
    @Order(1)
    void testOne() {
        System.out.println("Test one");
    }

    @Test
    @Order(2)
    void testTwo() {
        System.out.println("Test two");
    }
}

// Correct usage
@TestMethodOrder(MethodOrderer.OrderAnnotation.class)
class CorrectOrderTest {

    @Test
    @Order(1)
    void testOne() {
        System.out.println("Test one");
    }

    @Test
    @Order(2)
    void testTwo() {
        System.out.println("Test two");
    }
}

Quick Reference

Annotation	Purpose	Notes
@TestMethodOrder(MethodOrderer.OrderAnnotation.class)	Enable ordering of test methods by @Order	Place on test class
@Order(int value)	Define execution order of test method or class	Lower value runs first
@Test	Marks a method as a test	Required for test execution
Duplicate @Order values	Can cause unpredictable order	Avoid duplicates
Missing @TestMethodOrder	@Order is ignored	Always add @TestMethodOrder

Key Takeaways

Use @TestMethodOrder(MethodOrderer.OrderAnnotation.class) on the test class to enable @Order.

Annotate test methods with @Order(int) to specify execution order; smaller numbers run first.

Without @TestMethodOrder, @Order annotations have no effect.

Avoid duplicate @Order values to prevent unpredictable test execution order.

JUnit does not guarantee test order unless explicitly specified with @Order and @TestMethodOrder.