Regular Expressions 101

Save & Share

Flavor

  • PCRE2 (PHP >=7.3)
  • PCRE (PHP <7.3)
  • ECMAScript (JavaScript)
  • Python
  • Golang
  • Java 8
  • .NET 7.0 (C#)
  • Rust
  • Regex Flavor Guide

Function

  • Match
  • Substitution
  • List
  • Unit Tests

Tools

Sponsors
There are currently no sponsors. Become a sponsor today!
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"
"
gimx

Test String

Code Generator

Generated Code

re = /^ # get the title of this movie or series (?P<title> [-\w'\"]+ # match separator to later replace into correct title (?P<separator> [ .] ) # note this *must* be lazy for the engine to work ltr not rtl (?: [-\w'\"]+\2 )*? ) # start of movie vs serie check (?: # if this is an episode, lets match the season # number one way or another. if not, the year # of the movie (?: # series. can be a lot prettier if we used perl regex... # make sure this is not just a number in the title followed by our separator. # like, iron man 3 2013 or my.fictional.24.series (?! \d+ \2 ) # now try to match the season number (?: s (?: eason \2? )? )? (?P<season> \d\d? ) # needed to validate the last token is a dot, or whatever. (?: e\d\d? (?:-e?\d\d?)? | x\d\d? )? | # this is likely a movie, match the year (?P<year> [(\]]?\d{4}[)\]]? ) ) # make sure this ends with the separator, otherwise we # might be in the middle of something like "1080p" (?=\2) | # if we get here, this is likely still a movie. # match until one of the keywords (?= BOXSET | XVID | DIVX | LIMITED | UNRATED | PROPER | DTS | AC3 | AAC | BLU[ -]?RAY | HD(?:TV|DVD) | (?:DVD|B[DR]|WEB)RIP | \d+p | [hx]\.?264 ) )/imx str = 'the.black.adder.3x01.dish.and.dishonesty.dvdrip.xvid-dvdiso.avi the.black.adder.3x02.ink.and.incapability.dvdrip.xvid-dvdiso.avi the.black.adder.3x03.nob.and.nobility.dvdrip.xvid-dvdiso.avi the.black.adder.3x04.sense.and.senility.dvdrip.xvid-dvdiso.avi the.black.adder.3x05.amy.and.amiability.dvdrip.xvid-dvdiso.avi the.black.adder.3x06.duel.and.duality.dvdrip.xvid-dvdiso.avi Game.of.Thrones.S04E08.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS Futurama.S06.720p.BluRay.X264-REWARD-SiNNERS The.Grand.Budapest.Hotel.2014.1080p.BluRay.x264-BLOW Another.Earth.2011.LIMITED.720p.BluRay.X264-AMIABLE Game.of.Thrones.S04E09.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS The.Green.Mile.1999.720p.BluRay.x264-HDCLASSiCS Cosmos.A.Space.Time.Odyssey.S01E12.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION Game.of.Thrones.S04E10.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS The Road 2009 Bluray DTS 720 p - TRiNiTY Dead Poets Society (1989) 720p Blu-ray x264 DTS MSubs [DDR] Garden.State.2004.720p.BluRay.X264-AMIABLE The.Royal.Tenenbaums.2001.1080p.BluRay.X264-AMIABLE Donnie.Darko.2001.1080p.PROPER.BluRay.x264-RRH Hot.Fuzz.720p.HDDVD.x264-SEPTiC True.Detective.S01E01.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind 2004 DiVERSiTY Non-Stop.2014.720p.BluRay.X264-AMIABLE True.Detective.S01E02.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS Fargo.S01E07.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION Silicon.Valley.S01E08.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS True.Detective.S01E03.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS Fargo.S01E08.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION Suits.S04E01.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION True.Detective.S01E04.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS Fargo.S01E10.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION Suits.S04E02.720p.HDTV.X264-DIMENSION True.Detective.S01E06.720p.HDTV.x264-2HD The.Descendants.2011.720p.BluRay.x264-ALLiANCE True.Detective.S01E07.720p.HDTV.x264-KILLERS Killing Season 2013 DVDRip x264-NoRBiT Game of Thrones S04E10 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E09 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E08 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E07 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E05 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E03 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E04 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E01 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E02 720p HDTV x264-2HD Game of Thrones S04E06 720p HDTV x264-DIMENSION Game of Thrones S04E10 HDTV x264-KILLERS Watch Dogs-RELOADED True Blood S07E01 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Non-Stop 2014 720p BluRay X264-AMIABLE The Big Bang Theory S07E24 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Game of Thrones S04E09 HDTV x264-KILLERS 24 S09E09 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION The Big Bang Theory S07E23 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Game of Thrones S04E08 HDTV x264-KILLERS Suits S04E02 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Game of Thrones S04E06 INTERNAL 720p HDTV x264-BATV The Big Bang Theory S07E22 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Suits S04E01 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Watch Dogs Hotfix-RELOADED Wolfenstein The New Order-RELOADED The Big Bang Theory S07E20 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION The Big Bang Theory S07E21 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Suits S04E03 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Californication S07E10 720p HDTV x264-DAA True Blood S07E01 HDTV x264-KILLERS 24 S09E08 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Game of Thrones S04E07 HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E05 HDTV x264-KILLERS Silicon Valley S01E01 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E06 HDTV x264-KILLERS 24 S09E07 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Californication S07E08 720p HDTV x264-DAA The Big Bang Theory S07E19 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION 24 S09E06 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Californication S07E11 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS The Wolf of Wall Street 2013 DVDScr x264-HaM Game of Thrones S04E01 HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E10 1080p HDTV x264-BATV The Wolf of Wall Street 2013 720p BluRay X264-AMIABLE Game of Thrones S04E02 HDTV x264-2HD Game of Thrones S04E03 HDTV x264-KILLERS The Big Bang Theory S07E24 HDTV x264-LOL 24 S09E05 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Southpark Stick Of Truth-RELOADED 300 Rise Of An Empire 2014 720p BluRay x264-BLOW Californication S07E09 INTERNAL 720p HDTV x264-BATV The Monuments Men 2014 720p BluRay x264-BLOW The Big Bang Theory S07E18 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Suits S04E01 HDTV x264-LOL The Wolf Of Wall Street 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Her 2013 720p BluRay x264-SPARKS The Big Bang Theory S07E17 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION The Big Bang Theory S07E23 HDTV x264-LOL Family Guy S12E20 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION The Walking Dead S04E15 720p HDTV x264-2HD 300 Rise Of An Empire 2014 1080p BluRay x264-BLOW 24 S09E04 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION The Big Bang Theory S07E16 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Californication S07E07 720p HDTV x264-DAA Suits S04E02 HDTV x264-LOL Snowpiercer 2013 BRRip XviD AC3-AQOS Fargo S01E09 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Fargo S01E10 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Silicon Valley S01E08 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS The Walking Dead S04E12 720p HDTV x264-REMARKABLE Falling Skies S04E01 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS The Big Bang Theory S07E22 HDTV x264-LOL The Hobbit The Desolation of Smaug 2013 1080p BluRay x264-SPARKS Thor The Dark World 2013 720p HDRip XviD-AQOS Silicon Valley S01E02 720p HDTV x264-2HD Californication S07E06 720p HDTV x264-DAA True Detective S01E01 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS The Walking Dead S04E13 720p HDTV x264-2HD Robocop 2014 720p BluRay x264-SPARKS The Walking Dead S04E16 PROPER 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS The Big Bang Theory S07E21 HDTV x264-LOL The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014 720p BluRay x264-BLOW 24 S09E03 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION True Detective S01E03 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Game of Thrones S04E04 REPACK HDTV x264-KILLERS 24 S09E01 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION 24 S09E02 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Silicon Valley S01E03 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS The Big Bang Theory S07E15 720p HDTV X264-DIMENSION Dallas Buyers Club 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Walking Dead S04E11 720p HDTV x264-2HD How I Met Your Mother S09E23-E24 720p HDTV x264-REMARKABLE Suits S03E16 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS GRID Autosport-RELOADED Silicon Valley S01E05 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS Vikings S02E10 720p HDTV x264-2HD Silicon Valley S01E06 720p HDTV x264-2HD 300 Rise Of An Empire 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Californication S07E05 720p HDTV x264-2HD Silicon Valley S01E04 720p HDTV x264-KILLERS The Wolf Of Wall Street 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Snowpiercer 2013 BRRip XviD AC3-AQOS Dallas Buyers Club 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON 300 Rise Of An Empire 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N American Hustle 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N This Is The End 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Non-Stop 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N A Million Ways To Die In The West 2014 720p New Webrip x264 AC3 TiTAN Captain Phillips 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Lego Movie 2014 720p HDRip XviD-AQOS Now You See Me 2013 EXTENDED 720p BDRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Bad Neighbours 2014 720p WEBRIP x264 AC3-EVE Gravity 2013 720p WEBRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Raid 2 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Under The Skin 2013 720p HDRIP x264 AC3 TiTAN The Hobbit The Desolation Of Smaug 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Wolverine 2013 EXTENDED 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Pompeii 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N 12 Years A Slave 2013 720p BDRip XviD AC3-ViSiON Frozen 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Man Of Steel 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Elysium 2013 720p WEBRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Monuments Men 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Snowpiercer 2013 720p BDRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Hunger Games Catching Fire 2013 IMAX EDITION 720p BRRip XviD AC3-ViSiON Robocop 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Bad Words 2013 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Double 2014 720p HDRip x264 AAC-FooKaS Prisoners 2013 720p WEB-DL x264 AAC-ViSiON The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Riddick 2013 UNRATED DC 720p WEB-DL XviD AC3-ELiTE 47 Ronin 2013 720p WEB-DL XviD AC3-ELiTE Enders Game 2013 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Oblivion 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON That Awkward Moment 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Raid 2 2014 BDRip x264-GECKOS 47 Ronin 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014 720p WEBRIP x264 AC3-EVE Her 2013 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Don Jon 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON 3 Days to Kill 2014 EXTENDED 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Lego Movie PROPER 720p HDRIP x264 AC3 TiTAN Thor The Dark World 2013 720p WEBRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N White House Down 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Hunger Games Catching Fire 2013 IMAX EDITION 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Lego Movie 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Bad Grandpa 2013 UNRATED 720p WEB-DL XviD AC3-ELiTE Non-Stop 2014 BRRip XviD AC3-SANTi Escape Plan 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Despicable Me 2 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Delivery Man 2013 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Blended 2014 720p WEBRIP x264 AC3-EVE RoboCop 2014 720p WEBRIP x264 AC3-EVE The Great Gatsby 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Fast And Furious 6 2013 720p WEBRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N A Million Ways to Die in the West 2014 HC 720p WEBRIP x264 AC3-MiLLENiUM Red 2 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Lone Ranger 2013 720p BDRip x264 AAC-ViSiON World War Z 2013 UNRATED 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Enemy 2013 LIMITED 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Vampire Academy 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Legend Of Hercules 2014 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Non-Stop 2014 BDRip X264-AMIABLE Afflicted 2013 LIMITED 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Street Fighter Assassin\'s Fist 2014 720p HDRip x264 AC3 TiTAN Veronica Mars 2014 HDRip AC3 XviD-EVO 2 Guns 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Anchorman 2 The Legend Continues 2013 UNRATED 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Lone Survivor 2013 720p WEBRiP XVID AC3-MAJESTIC Kick-Ass 2 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit 2014 HDRip XviD AC3-EVO Rush 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON (Happy New Year from ViSiON!) Calvary 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Hunger Games Catching Fire 2013 BRRip XviD AC3-SANTi Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit 2014 720p WEBRIP x264 AC3-EVE Thor The Dark World 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Bad Neighbours 2014 WEBRip NEW SOURCE Xvid Mp3 MiLLENiUM Prisoners 2013 720p BRRiP x264 AC3-LEGi0N Elysium 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Pacific Rim 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Saving Mr Banks 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Monuments Men 2014 BDRip x264-COCAIN Joe 2013 1080p WEBRIP x264 AC3-EVE I Frankenstein 2014 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty 2013 720p WEB-DL XviD AC3-ELiTE The Monuments Men 2014 BRRip XviD AC3-AQOS About Time 2013 720p BDRip XviD AC3-ELiTE Frozen 2013 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Enemy 2013 720p WEBRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N I Frankenstein 2014 BRRip XviD AC3-SANTi Out Of The Furnace 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON Walk of Shame 2014 LIMITED 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Iron Man 3 2013 720p BDRip x264 AAC-ViSiON The Monuments Men 2014 720p BDRIP x264 AC3-EVE Anchorman 2 The Legend Continues 2013 720p HDRIP x264 AC3 TiTAN Captain Phillips 2013 720p BRRiP XViD AC3-LEGi0N Jack Ryan Shadow Recruit 2014 BRRip XviD AC3-SANTi Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 2013 720p BRRip x264 AAC-ViSiON my.fictional.24.series.s01e02.720p-firas ' # Print the match result str.scan(re) do |match| puts match.to_s end

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 Ruby, please visit: http://ruby-doc.org/core-2.2.0/Regexp.html