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JavaScript String match() Method

Example

Search a string for "ain":

var str = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
var res = str.match(/ain/g);
Try it Yourself »

More "Try it Yourself" examples below.


Definition and Usage

The match() method searches a string for a match against a regular expression, and returns the matches, as an Array object.

Read more about regular expressions in our RegExp Tutorial and our RegExp Object Reference.

Note: If the regular expression does not include the g modifier (to perform a global search), the match() method will return only the first match in the string.

This method returns null if no match is found.


Browser Support

Method
match() Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Syntax

string.match(regexp)

Parameter Values

Parameter Description
regexp Required. The value to search for, as a regular expression.


Technical Details

Return Value: An Array, containing the matches, one item for each match, or null if no match is found
JavaScript Version: ECMAScript 1

More Examples

Example

Perform a global, case-insensitive search for "ain":

var str = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
var res = str.match(/ain/gi);
Try it Yourself »