RegExp.prototype.lastIndex

The index at which the next match will start for global or sticky regexes.

Since ES1 Spec ↗

Syntax

regexp.lastIndex

Returns

number — The position where the next search begins.

Examples

const re = /a/g;
re.exec("xaxa");
console.log(re.lastIndex);
Output
2
const re = /a/g;
console.log(re.test("aaa"));
re.lastIndex = 0;
console.log(re.test("aaa"));
Output
true
true

Notes

- Only consulted and updated when the `g` or `y` flag is set. - Reset it to `0` to restart, or reuse a non-global regex to avoid stateful surprises. - A no-match resets `lastIndex` to `0`.

Browser & runtime support

EnvironmentSince version
chrome 1.0
firefox 1.0
safari 1.0
edge 12
node 0.10

See also