The JavaScript string.match() method

Q: What does string match() return?

An array of matches, or null if there are none. With the /g flag it returns all matched strings; without it, the first match plus capture groups.

Q: How do I get all matches of a regex?

Add the global flag: str.match(/pattern/g). For matches with capture groups, use str.matchAll(/pattern/g).

Q: What is the difference between match() and matchAll()?

match() with /g returns just the matched strings; matchAll() returns an iterator of full match objects (with groups) for every match.

Q: How do I just check if a string matches a pattern?

Use regex.test(str), which returns a boolean — simpler than match() when you only need yes/no.

Method JavaScript All modern browsers Updated June 23, 2026

Quick answer

The match() method searches a string with a regular expression and returns the matches as an array, or null if there are none. With the global flag /g it returns all matched strings; without it, it returns the first match plus capture groups. Check for null before using the result.

Overview

match() runs a regular expression against a string and tells you what it found. Pass it a regex and it returns an array of matches — or null when there's nothing, which is the result you must guard against before indexing into it.

Its behavior depends on the global flag. With /g, match() returns a flat array of all matched substrings: "a1b2c3".match(/\\d/g) gives ["1", "2", "3"]. Without /g, it returns details for just the first match — the full match at index 0, then any capture groups, plus index and input properties — which is what you want when you need the captured pieces.

When you want all matches and their capture groups together, the newer matchAll() is the right tool: it returns an iterator of full match objects you can loop with for...of. For a quick yes/no "does it match", regex.test(str) is simpler than match(), and for find-and-replace use replace().

Syntax

str.match(regexp)

"a1b2c3".match(/\d/g)        // ["1", "2", "3"]  (global)
"2026-06-23".match(/(\d+)-(\d+)/) // ["2026-06", "2026", "06", ...]
"abc".match(/x/)             // null

Parameters

The string.match() method accepts the following parameters.

Parameter	Description
`regexp`	A regular expression to match against. A non-regex argument is converted to one.

Example

Live example

<pre id="out" style="font:15px ui-monospace,monospace"></pre>
<script>
  const text = 'Call 555-1234 or 555-5678';

  const numbers = text.match(/\d{3}-\d{4}/g);

  document.getElementById('out').textContent =
    numbers ? numbers.join('\n') : 'no matches';
  // 555-1234 / 555-5678
</script>

Best practices

Always check for null — match() returns it when there's no match.
Use the /g flag to get every matched string; omit it to get the first match with capture groups.
Use matchAll() when you need all matches and their groups together.
For a simple "does it match?" check, regex.test(str) is clearer.

Frequently asked questions

What does string match() return?

An array of matches, or null if there are none. With the /g flag it returns all matched strings; without it, the first match plus capture groups.

How do I get all matches of a regex?

Add the global flag: str.match(/pattern/g). For matches with capture groups, use str.matchAll(/pattern/g).

What is the difference between match() and matchAll()?

match() with /g returns just the matched strings; matchAll() returns an iterator of full match objects (with groups) for every match.

How do I just check if a string matches a pattern?

Use regex.test(str), which returns a boolean — simpler than match() when you only need yes/no.

string.localeCompare() string.matchAll()

References