# JavaScript String match() Method

JavaScript String Reference

## Example

Search a string for "ain":

var str = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
var res = str.match(/ain/g);

The result of res will be an array with the values:

Try it yourself »

More "Try it Yourself" examples below.

## Definition and Usage

The match() method searches a string for a match against a regular expression, and returns the matches, as an Array object.

Read more about regular expressions in our RegExp Tutorial and our RegExp Object Reference.

Note: If the regular expression does not include the g modifier (to perform a global search), the match() method will return only the first match in the string.

This method returns null if no match is found.

## Browser Support

Method |  |  |  |  |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
match() | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes

## Syntax

string.match(regexp)

## Parameter Values

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
regexp | Required. The value to search for, as a regular expression.

## Technical Details

Return Value: | An Array, containing the matches, one item for each match, or null if no match is found
JavaScript Version: | 1.2

## More Examples

## Example

Perform a global, case-insensitive search for "ain":

var str = "The rain in SPAIN stays mainly in the plain";
var res = str.match(/ain/gi);

The result of res will be:

Try it yourself »

JavaScript String Reference

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