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

$re = '/(?sm)span class=\'Finish F(\d{1,2}).*?<td style="text-align:center">(\d{1,2}e*).*?target="_blank">(.+?)</a>.*?<td class=\'trainer\'>.*?target="_blank">(.+?)</a>.*?<td class=\'jockey\'>.*?<span class=\'Hilite\'>(.+?)</span></a>.*?<td style="text-align:center">(.*?)</td>.*?<td style="text-align:center">(.*?)</td>.*?<td>(.*?)</td>.*?<td>(.*?)</td>.*?<td>(.*?)</td>/m'; $str = '<!-- start of races --> <a name="Race1"></a><div class="race-title-spacer"></div> <table width="750" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" class="race-title"> <tr> <th><span>Race 1 - 1:50PM PEEL VALLEY TYRES - CG&E MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)</span> <span class="localtimedisplayed">Times displayed in local time of Race Meeting</span> </th> </tr> <tr> <td> <b>Of $22,000.1st $11,200, 2nd $3,900, 3rd $2,100, 4th $1,100, 5th $720, 6th $540, 7th $500, 8th $500, 9th $500, 10th $500, Equine Welfare Fund $220, Jockey Welfare Fund $220. </b><br>Maiden, Set Weights, Colts, Geldings and Entires, Apprentices can claim.<br>BOBS Bonus Available Up To $9625<br><br><b>Track Name:</b> Main <b>Track Type:</b> Turf <b>Track Condition:</b> Good 3 <b>Time:</b> 1:10.66 <b>Last 600m:</b> 0:36.42 <b>Timing Method:</b> Electronic </td> </tr> </table> <br> <table width="750" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" class="race-strip-fields"> <tr> <th class="no">Color</th> <th style="text-align:center" width="5%">Finish</th> <th style="text-align:center" width="5%">No.</th> <th width="20%">Horse</th> <th width="19%">Trainer</th> <th width="20%">Jockey</th> <th style="text-align:center" width="6%">Margin</th> <th style="text-align:center" width="2%">Bar.</th> <th width="12%">Weight</th> <th width="5%">Penalty</th> <th width="15%">Starting Price</th> </tr> <tr class=\'EvenRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/34223.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F1\'>1</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/34223.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">1</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU2NjQ1OTA4MA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDc0NjUzMzA%3d" target="_blank">AKECHETA</a> <span style="float:right"></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=NDE0NjM4Mjgw&trainername=Melanie+O%27Gorman" target="_blank">Melanie O\'Gorman</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=MjM3MTA3MTA%3d" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Andrew Gibbons</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center"></td> <td style="text-align:center">7</td> <td>59kg</td> <td></td> <td>$1.40F</td> </tr> <tr class=\'OddRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/43103.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F2\'>2</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/43103.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">5</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=MTEyMjI1NjYyMA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDk2NDg3MDA%3d" target="_blank">KENNYWYN</a> <span style="float:right"></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=MTkzMDczNDA%3d&trainername=Les+Roberts" target="_blank">Les Roberts</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=MjQ3NDk2NzA%3d" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Michael Squires</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center">1.91L</td> <td style="text-align:center">5</td> <td>59kg</td> <td></td> <td>$8.50</td> </tr> <tr class=\'EvenRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/61483.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F3\'>3</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/61483.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">4</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU2Mzk3NjAxMA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDkxMTcwMTA%3d" target="_blank">JOHN PAUL</a> <span style="float:right"></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=MjI5MzI1MTc4NjA%3d&trainername=Craig+Clegg" target="_blank">Craig Clegg</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=ODMxMDE3MDQw" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Ms Belinda Hodder</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center">1.92L</td> <td style="text-align:center">3</td> <td>59kg</td> <td></td> <td>$26</td> </tr> <tr class=\'OddRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/9041.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F4\'>4</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/9041.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">8</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU5MjQxNDIxMA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDcxMTAxMzA%3d" target="_blank">MICK&rsquo;S REGRET</a> <span style="float:right"><img alt=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' title=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' src=\'/design/images/BonusLogos/BOBS.png\' style=\'vertical-align:middle;\' /></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=MjIyMDY2NjA%3d&trainername=Sue+Grills" target="_blank">Sue Grills</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=ODgzMTc4MTYw" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Ms Rachael Murray</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center">3.63L</td> <td style="text-align:center">8</td> <td>58.5kg</td> <td></td> <td>$15</td> </tr> <tr class=\'EvenRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/61334.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F5\'>5</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/61334.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">9</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU4Mzg0MTY4MA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDMwMjMxMTA%3d" target="_blank">PATAGONIAN</a> <span style="float:right"><img alt=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' title=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' src=\'/design/images/BonusLogos/BOBS.png\' style=\'vertical-align:middle;\' /></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=MTI5MzU5NDA%3d&trainername=Paul+Perry" target="_blank">Paul Perry</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=OTQzODc1MTgw" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Travis Wolfgram</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center">5.83L</td> <td style="text-align:center">6</td> <td>58.5kg</td> <td></td> <td>$6</td> </tr> <tr class=\'OddRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/8949.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F6\'>6</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/8949.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">3</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU4OTY0ODA5MA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDk1Mjc3MTA%3d" target="_blank">CHEROKEE (NZ)</a> <span style="float:right"></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=MjIyMDY2NjA%3d&trainername=Sue+Grills" target="_blank">Sue Grills</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=NTU4NzI2NjAzMA%3d%3d" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Ms Wendy Peel</span><span class=\'apprentice-claim\'> (a1.5/50kg)</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center">6.4L</td> <td style="text-align:center">4</td> <td>59kg (cd 57.5kg)</td> <td></td> <td>$41</td> </tr> <tr class=\'EvenRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/8544.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F7\'>7</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/8544.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">10</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU5MjIyNjYyMA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDcyODQ0MDA%3d" target="_blank">TONOSAMA</a> <span style="float:right"></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=MTk2MTM3MDA%3d&trainername=Mack+Griffith" target="_blank">Mack Griffith</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=MjMzMDIyMzA%3d" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Grant Buckley</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center">8.24L</td> <td style="text-align:center">1</td> <td>58.5kg</td> <td></td> <td>$15</td> </tr> <tr class=\'OddRow\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/69256.png" /></td> <td style="text-align:center"><span class=\'Finish F8\'>8</span></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/69256.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">2</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU2ODE3MDcwMA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDg2Njg1NzA%3d" target="_blank">BOUNDARY RYDER</a> <span style="float:right"></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=MjE3ODI2NDA%3d&trainername=Ruth+Cooper" target="_blank">Ruth Cooper</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=OTQwOTA1OTMw" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Vad Bolozhinskyi</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center">9.23L</td> <td style="text-align:center">2</td> <td>59kg</td> <td></td> <td>$91</td> </tr> <tr class=\'EvenRow Scratched\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/8343.png" /></td> <td></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/8343.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">6</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU4MjA1NzkxMA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NTA5NTQwNjA%3d" target="_blank">COMES &rsquo;N&rsquo; GOES</a> <span style="float:right"><img alt=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' title=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' src=\'/design/images/BonusLogos/BOBS.png\' style=\'vertical-align:middle;\' /></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=ODIzODgzMDcw&trainername=Luke+A+Thomas" target="_blank">Luke A Thomas</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=MA%3d%3d" target="_blank"></a></td> <td style="text-align:center"></td> <td style="text-align:center">0</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> <tr class=\'OddRow Scratched\'> <td><img class="minimizeStyle" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/80013.png" /></td> <td></td> <!-- <td><img class="minimizeStyle" onmouseover="showBigImage(this);" onmouseout="showSmallImage(this);" src="https://www.racingaustralia.horse/JockeySilks/80013.png" /></td> --> <td style="text-align:center">7</td> <td class=\'horse\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/HorseFullForm.aspx?horsecode=NTU4ODIxMDY0MA%3d%3d&src=horseform&raceentry=MTI3NDkwODgxNTA%3d" target="_blank">ENSEGUIDA</a> <span style="float:right"><img alt=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' title=\'BOBS Bonus Scheme\' src=\'/design/images/BonusLogos/BOBS.png\' style=\'vertical-align:middle;\' /></span></td> <td class=\'trainer\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/TrainerLastRuns.aspx?trainercode=ODQzOTc3NDAw&trainername=Nathan+Doyle" target="_blank">Nathan Doyle</a></td> <td class=\'jockey\'><a class=\'GreenLink\' href="../InteractiveForm/JockeyLastRuns.aspx?jockeycode=MjMxMDE0NjU0MTA%3d" target="_blank"><span class=\'Hilite\'>Ashley Morgan</span></a></td> <td style="text-align:center"></td> <td style="text-align:center">0</td> <td></td> <td></td> <td></td> </tr> </table>'; preg_match_all($re, $str, $matches, PREG_SET_ORDER, 0); // Print the entire match result var_dump($matches);

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 PHP, please visit: http://php.net/manual/en/ref.pcre.php