Frontend Frameworks

escape-string-regexp

Escape RegExp special characters for safe string usage.

Status
Generally available
Last checked
Checked · Oct 8, 2026
License
Open source
Pricing
Free tier · from $0
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What it is

A small utility to escape special characters in strings that have a meaning in regular expressions. This ensures the strings can be safely used within regex patterns without unintended behavior.

escape-string-regexp is the go-to utility for JavaScript developers who need to ensure their strings are safe and predictable when used in regular expressions, offering a lightweight solution without additional overhead or complexity.

When it fits — and when it doesn’t

A good fit for

  • JavaScript developers who frequently work with regular expressions and need to ensure user-generated content is safely included in regex patterns.

  • Projects where input strings may contain special characters that could interfere with regex operations.

Look elsewhere if

  • Developers looking for a comprehensive library of string manipulation functions beyond escaping special characters.

  • Scenarios requiring complex text processing capabilities not directly related to regular expression safety.

Known weaknesses

Each one links to the public issue, changelog or docs page it came from, where we have one.

  1. 01

    Limited functionality for complex use cases

    The tool only escapes special characters and does not handle more advanced regex requirements such as lookaheads or lookbehinds.

  2. 02

    Potential performance overhead in large-scale applications

    Repeated use of the escape function on very large strings can introduce unnecessary processing time, impacting application performance.

  3. 03

    Limited to JavaScript/Node.js ecosystem

    The utility is specifically designed for JavaScript and does not offer native support or integrations with other programming languages like Python or Java.

What it does well

  • Small and lightweight utility for escaping special characters.

  • Ensures strings are safe to use in regular expressions without unintended behavior.

  • Well-maintained with a large community backing.

Pricing

Free tier
YesOpen source — free to use
Paid from
$0
Model
Flat rate
Enterprise plan
No

Pricing not independently confirmed — check the vendor’s page.

Performance benchmarks

How Fast Is It?

Set up escape-string-regexp

Setup steps, common gotchas and what to check after 30 days.

Open the setup guide →