PostgreSQL 18 reference · String Functions

PostgreSQL RPAD() Function

Pad a string on the right to a given length with spaces or another string. Longer strings are cut to that length.

PostgreSQL 18

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Syntax

rpad(string, length, fill)

Parameter	Description
`string`	The input text.
`length`	The final length in characters.
`fill` optional	Padding text. Default: `' '`

Text.

Dot leaders

SELECT rpad('Tea', 8, '.') || '3.50' AS menu_line;

Output

  menu_line
--------------
 Tea.....3.50
(1 row)

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

Fixed-width columns

SELECT rpad(name, 12) || '|' AS aligned
FROM categories;

Output

    aligned
---------------
 Books       |
 Electronics |
 Home        |
 Toys        |
(4 rows)

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

LPAD() · Pad a string on the left to a given length with spaces or another string. Longer strings are cut to that length.
REPEAT() · Repeat a string a given number of times. A count of 0 or less gives an empty string.
SQL String Functions · tutorial