PostgreSQL 18 reference · String Functions

PostgreSQL REVERSE() Function

Return a string with its characters in reverse order. Since PostgreSQL 18 it also reverses bytea values.

PostgreSQL 18 Since 9.1

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Syntax

reverse(string)

Parameter	Description
`string`	The input text.

Text.

Reverse text

SELECT reverse('camel') AS a, reverse('añejo') AS multibyte_safe;

Output

   a   | multibyte_safe
-------+----------------
 lemac | ojeña
(1 row)

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

Palindromes

SELECT word, word = reverse(word) AS palindrome
FROM (VALUES ('racecar'), ('camel')) AS t(word);

Output

  word   | palindrome
---------+------------
 racecar | t
 camel   | f
(2 rows)

Run this on your computer — see “Get Started” for setup.

Version	Change
PostgreSQL 9.1	Added
PostgreSQL 18	Also accepts `bytea`, reversing the bytes.

REPEAT() · Repeat a string a given number of times. A count of 0 or less gives an empty string.
SQL String Functions · tutorial