PostgreSQL 18 reference · String Functions

PostgreSQL TRANSLATE() Function

Replace single characters by position: each character in 'from' becomes the matching character in 'to', or is deleted.

PostgreSQL 18

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Syntax

translate(string, from, to)

Parameter	Description
`string`	The input text.
`from`	Characters to replace.
`to`	Replacements, matched by position; missing ones delete.

Text.

Character by character

SELECT translate('2026-01-05', '-', '.') AS dotted, translate('hello', 'el', 'ip') AS swapped;

Output

   dotted   | swapped
------------+---------
 2026.01.05 | hippo
(1 row)

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

Delete characters

SELECT translate('+1 (555) 010-9999', '+() -', '') AS digits_only;

Output

 digits_only
-------------
 15550109999
(1 row)

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

REPLACE() · Replace every occurrence of a substring with another string. The search is case-sensitive.
REGEXP_REPLACE() · Replace text matching a POSIX regular expression. Add the 'g' flag to replace every match, not just the first.
SQL String Functions · tutorial