IPv6 with CIDR Prefix Length Regex for Java
/^[0-9a-fA-F:]+\/(?:12[0-8]|1[01][0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[0-9])$/iWhat this pattern does
This page provides a well-structured, multi-part regular expression for matching ipv6 with cidr prefix length, ported and verified for Java. A rigorously tested regex reduces debugging time and protects your application from edge-case failures. The snippet below is ready to drop into your Java project — whether you're validating in a Spring Boot controller, a Jakarta EE service, or a standalone utility class.
Java Implementation
// IPv6 with CIDR Prefix Length
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Web & Network > IPv6
import java.util.regex.Pattern;
public class Ipv6WithCidrPrefixLengthValidator {
private static final Pattern PATTERN =
Pattern.compile("^[0-9a-fA-F:]+\\/(?:12[0-8]|1[01][0-9]|[1-9][0-9]|[0-9])$");
public static boolean validate(String input) {
return PATTERN.matcher(input).matches();
}
// Example
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(validate("2001:db8::/32")); // true
}
}Test Cases
Matches (Valid) | Rejects (Invalid) |
|---|---|
2001:db8::/32 | 2001:db8::/129 |
fe80::/10 | 2001:db8::/-1 |
::1/128 | 2001:db8:: |
::/0 | 192.168.0.0/24 |
2001:db8:85a3::8a2e:0370:7334/64 | 2001:db8::/ |
When to use this pattern
This pattern is drawn from the Web & Network > IPv6 category and carries a ReDoS-safe certification. That matters for Java developers because critical in Java applications since the JVM regex engine uses backtracking and is susceptible to ReDoS without careful pattern design. RegexVault audits patterns against known backtracking attack vectors, ensuring you have the necessary context before using this regex in a high-stakes production environment.
Common Pitfalls
12[0-8] covers 120–128; [01][0-9] would incorrectly cover 100–119 and 000–019, so use 1[01][0-9] for the 100–119 range.
Technical Notes
The IPv6 portion uses a simplified [0-9a-fA-F:]+ to avoid duplicating the full IPv6 validation. Pair with net-ipv6-02 for full address validation before applying this pattern.
Have a pattern that belongs in the vault?
Submit it for review — community-verified patterns get credited to your GitHub handle. Free submissions join the queue. Priority review available for $15.
Submit a Pattern