The JavaScript string.matchAll() method

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

match() with /g returns only the matched strings (no groups); matchAll() returns an iterator of every match with its capture groups.

Q: Why does matchAll() throw a TypeError?

Because the regex isn't global. matchAll() requires the g flag.

Q: How do I loop over all matches with groups?

Use for (const m of str.matchAll(/.../g)) { ... }, reading m[0], m[1], etc.

Q: How do I turn matchAll() into an array?

Spread it: const matches = [...str.matchAll(re)].

Method JavaScript All modern browsers Updated June 23, 2026

Quick answer

The matchAll() method returns an iterator of all matches of a global regex, each with its capture groups. [...str.matchAll(/(\d+)/g)] gives every match plus its groups. It's better than match() when you need all matches and their groups. The regex must have the g flag.

Overview

matchAll() fills a gap in match(): when you use match() with the global g flag, it returns just the matched strings and throws away the capture groups. matchAll() keeps everything — it returns an iterator where each item is a full match object, with the whole match at index 0, then each captured group, plus the index and named groups.

Because it returns an iterator, you typically consume it with a for...of loop, or spread it into an array with [...str.matchAll(re)] to use array methods. Each iteration gives you a match with its groups, which is exactly what you need to extract structured data — pulling the key and value out of each key=value pair, or the parts of every date in a string.

One requirement: the regex must have the g flag, or matchAll() throws a TypeError (it's a guard so the name and behavior agree). If you only need the matched strings without groups, str.match(/.../g) is simpler; if you only need the first match with its groups, plain match() (no g) does that. Reach for matchAll() when you want all matches with their groups.

Syntax

for (const match of str.matchAll(regexp)) {
  match[0]   // the full match
  match[1]   // first capture group
  match.index
}

const all = [...str.matchAll(/(\w+)=(\w+)/g)];

Parameters

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

Parameter	Description
`regexp`	A global (`/.../g`) regular expression. A non-global regex throws a `TypeError`.

Example

Live example

<pre id="out" style="font:14px ui-monospace,monospace"></pre>
<script>
  const text = 'width=200 height=100 depth=50';

  const lines = [];
  for (const m of text.matchAll(/(\w+)=(\d+)/g)) {
    lines.push(m[1] + ' is ' + m[2]);
  }

  document.getElementById('out').textContent = lines.join('\n');
  // width is 200 / height is 100 / depth is 50
</script>

Best practices

Use matchAll() when you need all matches and their capture groups together.
Include the g flag, or it throws a TypeError.
Consume it with for...of, or spread into an array with [...str.matchAll(re)].
For just the matched strings, str.match(/.../g) is simpler; for one match with groups, plain match().

Frequently asked questions

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

match() with /g returns only the matched strings (no groups); matchAll() returns an iterator of every match with its capture groups.

Why does matchAll() throw a TypeError?

Because the regex isn't global. matchAll() requires the g flag.

How do I loop over all matches with groups?

Use for (const m of str.matchAll(/.../g)) { ... }, reading m[0], m[1], etc.

How do I turn matchAll() into an array?

Spread it: const matches = [...str.matchAll(re)].

string.match() string.padEnd()

References