Regular Expressions 101

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An explanation of your regex will be automatically generated as you type.
Detailed match information will be displayed here automatically.
  • All Tokens
  • Common Tokens
  • General Tokens
  • Anchors
  • Meta Sequences
  • Quantifiers
  • Group Constructs
  • Character Classes
  • Flags/Modifiers
  • Substitution
  • A single character of: a, b or c
    [abc]
  • A character except: a, b or c
    [^abc]
  • A character in the range: a-z
    [a-z]
  • A character not in the range: a-z
    [^a-z]
  • A character in the range: a-z or A-Z
    [a-zA-Z]
  • Any single character
    .
  • Alternate - match either a or b
    a|b
  • Any whitespace character
    \s
  • Any non-whitespace character
    \S
  • Any digit
    \d
  • Any non-digit
    \D
  • Any word character
    \w
  • Any non-word character
    \W
  • Non-capturing group
    (?:...)
  • Capturing group
    (...)
  • Zero or one of a
    a?
  • Zero or more of a
    a*
  • One or more of a
    a+
  • Exactly 3 of a
    a{3}
  • 3 or more of a
    a{3,}
  • Between 3 and 6 of a
    a{3,6}
  • Start of string
    ^
  • End of string
    $
  • A word boundary
    \b
  • Non-word boundary
    \B

Regular Expression
No Match

r'
'
gm

Test String

Code Generator

Language

Generated Code

import java.util.regex.Matcher; import java.util.regex.Pattern; public class Example { public static void main(String[] args) { final String regex = "ingredient-amount\"\\>(.+)\\<\\/span>"; final String string = "<div class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredients-container wprm-recipe-ingredients-no-images wprm-recipe-31141-ingredients-container wprm-block-text-normal wprm-ingredient-style-regular wprm-recipe-images-before\" data-recipe=\"31141\" data-servings=\"16\"><h3 class=\"wprm-recipe-header wprm-recipe-ingredients-header wprm-block-text-bold wprm-align-left wprm-header-decoration-none\" style=\"\">Ingredients</h3><div class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-group\"><h4 class=\"wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name wprm-block-text-bold\">For the dough:</h4><ul class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredients\"><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"1\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2/3</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cup</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">heavy cream</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(at room temperature)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"2\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cup</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">milk</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(whole milk preferred, but you can use 2%, at room temperature)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"3\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">large egg</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(at room temperature)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"4\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1/3</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cup</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">sugar</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"5\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1/2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cup</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">cake flour</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(can substitute 1/2 cup all purpose flour sifted with 1 tbsp cornstarch)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"6\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">3 1/2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cups</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">bread flour</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(tap measuring cup to avoid air pockets)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"7\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">tablespoon</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">active dry yeast</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(or instant yeast)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"8\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1 1/2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">teaspoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-spices-condiments/#salt\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">salt</a></span></li></ul></div><div class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-group\"><h4 class=\"wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name wprm-block-text-bold\">For the filling:</h4><ul class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredients\"><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"10\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">tablespoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">vegetable oil</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"11\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1/2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cup</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-chives-scallions-aromatics-peppers/#shallots\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">shallots</a></span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(or onion, finely chopped)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"12\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">tablespoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">granulated sugar</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"13\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">teaspoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/soy-sauce/\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">light soy sauce</a></span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"14\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">tablespoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/oyster-sauce/\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">oyster sauce</a></span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"15\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1 1/2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">teaspoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/sesame-oil/\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">sesame oil</a></span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"16\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">teaspoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/dark-soy-sauce/\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">dark soy sauce</a></span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"17\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">¾</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cup</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/homemade-chicken-stock/\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">chicken stock</a></span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"18\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">tablespoons</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">all purpose flour</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"19\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">2</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">cups</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/chinese-bbq-pork-cha-siu/\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">Chinese roast pork</a></span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(<a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/2014/02/chinese-bbq-pork-cha-siu/\" target=\"_blank\">char siu</a>, finely diced)</span></li></ul></div><div class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-group\"><h4 class=\"wprm-recipe-group-name wprm-recipe-ingredient-group-name wprm-block-text-bold\">To finish the buns:</h4><ul class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredients\"><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"21\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">egg wash</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water) </span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"22\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">tablespoon</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\"><a href=\"https://thewoksoflife.com/sesame-seeds/\" class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-link\" target=\"_blank\">sesame seeds</a></span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(optional)</span></li><li class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient\" style=\"list-style-type: disc;\" data-uid=\"23\"><span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-amount\">1</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-unit\">tablespoon</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-name\">granulated sugar</span>&#32;<span class=\"wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes wprm-recipe-ingredient-notes-faded\">(dissolved in 1 tablespoon boiling water)</span></li></ul></div><div class=\"wprm-unit-conversion-container wprm-unit-conversion-container-31141 wprm-unit-conversion-container-links wprm-block-text-normal\" data-recipe-unit-system=\"1\" style=\"\"><a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" class=\"wprm-unit-conversion wprmpuc-active\" data-system=\"1\" data-recipe=\"31141\" style=\"\" aria-label=\"Change unit system to US Customary\">US Customary</a> - <a href=\"#\" role=\"button\" class=\"wprm-unit-conversion\" data-system=\"2\" data-recipe=\"31141\" style=\"\" aria-label=\"Change unit system to Metric\">Metric</a></div></div>"; final Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile(regex, Pattern.MULTILINE); final Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher(string); while (matcher.find()) { System.out.println("Full match: " + matcher.group(0)); for (int i = 1; i <= matcher.groupCount(); i++) { System.out.println("Group " + i + ": " + matcher.group(i)); } } } }

Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for Java, please visit: https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/api/java/util/regex/Pattern.html