How to test a regex
To use Regex Tester Lite, type your JavaScript regular expression into the pattern field, add any flags such as g, i, or m, and paste the text you want to test against. The tool compiles the pattern and shows you the matches and capture groups it finds, updating as you edit.
If the pattern is invalid, the tool reports a clear compile error instead of failing silently, so you can fix the syntax quickly. Everything runs locally in your browser, so the patterns and text you test never leave your device.
This is handy for validating input formats, checking a search-and-replace pattern, or confirming a tricky group structure before you drop the regex into your code.
- Enter a JavaScript regex pattern
- Add flags like g, i, or m
- Paste your test text
- Read the matches, groups, and any errors
What lite means here
Regex Tester Lite is intentionally narrow and honest about scope. It focuses on JavaScript regular expression compiling and match inspection, which covers the most common day-to-day regex checks for web developers.
It is match-focused, so it does not include a replace mode, and it tests the JavaScript engine only rather than other flavors like PCRE or Python. That keeps the interface fast and uncluttered for the cases it is built to handle.
- JavaScript regex engine only
- Match and group inspection, not replace
- Clear, immediate compile feedback