JavaScript String match()
Examples
A search for "ain" using a string:
let text = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
text.match("ain");
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text.match("ain");
A search for "ain" using a regular expression:
let text = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
text.match(/ain/);
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text.match(/ain/);
A global search for "ain":
let text = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
text.match(/ain/g);
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text.match(/ain/g);
A global, case-insensitive search:
let text = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
text.match(/ain/gi);
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text.match(/ain/gi);
Description
The match() method matches a string against a regular expression **
The match() method returns an array with the matches.
The match() method returns null if no match is found.
Note
** If the search value is a string, it is converted to a regular expression.
See Also:
Syntax
string.match(match)
Parameters
Parameter
Description
match Required.
The search value.
A regular expression (or a string that will be converted to a regular expression).
The search value.
A regular expression (or a string that will be converted to a regular expression).
Return Values
Type
Description
An array
or
or
null An array containing the matches.null if no match is found.
The Difference Between
String match() and String search()
The match() method returns an array of matches.
The search() method returns the position of the first match.
Regular Expression Methods
Regular Expression Search and Replace can be done with different methods.
These are the most common:
String Methods
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| match(regex) | Returns an Array of results |
| matchAll(regex) | Returns an Iterator of results |
| replace(regex) | Returns a new String |
| replaceAll(regex) | Returns a new String |
| search(regex) | Returns the index of the first match |
| split(regex) | Returns an Array of results |
RegExp Methods
| Method | Description |
|---|---|
| regex.exec() | Returns an Iterator of results |
| regex.test() | Returns true or false |
Browser Support
string.match() is an ECMAScript1 (JavaScript 1997) feature.
It is supported in all browsers:
| Chrome | Edge | Firefox | Safari | Opera | IE |
| Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |