JavaScript (ES2026) reference · String Methods

JavaScript String match() Method

Match the string against a regular expression and return the matches (all of them with the g flag) or null.

JavaScript (ES2026) Since ES3

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Syntax

string.match(regexp)

Parameter	Description
`regexp`	A regular expression (a string is converted to one).

An array of matches, or null.

All matches vs the first with groupsTry it yourself

const text = "Order 42 shipped, order 7 pending";
console.log(text.match(/\d+/g));
console.log(text.match(/order (\d+)/i)[1]);

Output

[ '42', '7' ]
42

No match returns nullTry it yourself

const m = "nothing here".match(/\d+/g);
console.log(m, m ?? []);

Output

null []

Version	Change
JavaScript ES3	Added

string.matchAll() · Return an iterator of every regular-expression match, including capture groups. The regex must have the g flag.
string.search() · Return the index of the first regular-expression match, or -1 if there is none.
string.replace() · Replace the first match of a string or regex (every match with the g flag) with new text or a function's result.
JavaScript Strings · tutorial
JavaScript String Methods · tutorial