Globally Replace a Forward Slash in a String in JavaScript

Last Updated : 8 Sep, 2026

In JavaScript, forward slashes (/) in a string can be globally replaced using different built-in methods. This is useful when modifying file paths, URLs, or formatted text.

  • The replace() method with a regular expression can replace all occurrences.
  • The replaceAll() method provides a simple and readable solution.
  • The split() and join() methods can replace characters without using regular expressions.
  • Functional approaches such as map() and reduce() can be used when additional processing is required.

Approach 1: Using replace() Method with Regular Expression

The replace() method can be used with a regular expression to replace all occurrences of a forward slash. The global (g) flag ensures that every occurrence is replaced.

Example: Uses a regular expression to replace all forward slashes with hyphens.

JavaScript 
const s1 = "path/to/some/resource";

const s2 = s1.replace(/\//g, "-");

console.log(s2);
  • The /\//g pattern matches all forward slashes.
  • The g flag ensures that the replacement is applied globally.

Approach 2: Using replaceAll() Method

The replaceAll() method provides a simple way to replace every occurrence of a forward slash without using a regular expression.

Example: Replaces all forward slashes with hyphens using the replaceAll() method.

JavaScript 
const s1 = "path/to/some/resource";

const s2 = s1.replaceAll("/", "-");

console.log(s2);
  • replaceAll() replaces every occurrence of the specified value.
  • It provides clean and readable syntax for modern JavaScript.

Approach 3: Using split() and join() Method

This approach splits the string wherever a forward slash occurs and joins the resulting parts using the replacement character.

Example: Uses split() and join() to replace all forward slashes.

JavaScript 
const s1 = "path/to/some/resource";

const s2 = s1.split("/").join("-");

console.log(s2);
  • split("/") divides the string at every forward slash.
  • join("-") combines the parts using a hyphen.

Approach 4: Using Array.prototype.map() Method

The map() method can be used to process every character in the string and replace forward slashes with another character.

Example: Converts the string into an array and uses map() to replace every forward slash.

JavaScript 
const s1 = "path/to/some/resource";

const s2 = [...s1]
    .map((char) => char === "/" ? "-" : char)
    .join("");

console.log(s2);

Approach 5: Using reduce() Method

The reduce() method can also be used to iterate through the characters and build a new string with the forward slashes replaced.

Example: Uses reduce() to replace all forward slashes with hyphens.

JavaScript 
const s1 = "path/to/some/resource";

const s2 = [...s1].reduce(
    (acc, char) => acc + (char === "/" ? "-" : char),
    ""
);

console.log(s2);
  • reduce() processes each character one at a time.
  • A new string is built with the replaced characters.

Choosing the Right Approach for Replacing Forward Slashes in JavaScript

  • Use replace() with a regular expression when compatibility and pattern-based replacement are important.
  • Use replaceAll() for a simple and readable solution in modern JavaScript environments.
  • Use split() and join() when working in environments that do not support replaceAll().
  • Use map() when replacing characters as part of additional transformations.
  • Use reduce() when following a functional programming approach or combining multiple operations.
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