# PHP quotemeta() Function

PHP String Reference

## Example

Add backslashes in front of the predefined characters:

<?php
$str = "Hello world. (can you hear me?)";
echo quotemeta($str);
?>
Run example »

## Definition and Usage

The quotemeta() function adds backslashes in front of some predefined characters in a string.

The predefined characters are:

- period (.)
- backslash (\)
- plus sign (+)
- asterisk (*)
- question mark (?)
- brackets ([])
- caret (^)
- dollar sign ($)
- parenthesis (())

Tip: This function can be used to escape characters with special meanings, such as ( ), [ ], and * in SQL.

Note: This function is binary-safe.

## Syntax

quotemeta(string)

Parameter | Description
--- | ---
string | Required. Specifies the string to check

## Technical Details

Return Value: | Returns the string with meta characters quoted
PHP Version: | 4+

## More Examples

## Example 1

Add backslashes in front of many predefined characters:

<?php
$str1 = "1 + 1 = 2";
$str2 = "1 * 1 = 1";
$str3 = "Could you borrow me 5$?";
$str4 = "Are you not entertained? (I am..)";
$str5 = "The caret [ ^ ] Looks like a hat!";
echo quotemeta($str1)."<br>";
echo quotemeta($str2)."<br>";
echo quotemeta($str3)."<br>";
echo quotemeta($str4)."<br>";
echo quotemeta($str5)."<br>";
?>
Run example »

PHP String Reference

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