npm Version Range (Tilde ~) Regex for JavaScript

What this pattern does

This page provides a comprehensive, battle-tested regular expression for matching npm version range (tilde ~), ported and verified for JavaScript. A rigorously tested regex reduces debugging time and protects your application from edge-case failures. The snippet below is ready to drop into your JavaScript project — whether you're validating in an Express middleware, a Next.js API route, or a client-side form.

Javascript Implementation

// npm Version Range (Tilde ~)
// ReDoS-safe | RegexVault — Dev & Systems > SemVer

const npmVersionRangeTildeRegex = /^~(0|[1-9][0-9]*)(?:\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*|x|\*)(?:\.(0|[1-9][0-9]*|x|\*)(?:-((?:0|[1-9][0-9]*|[0-9]*[a-zA-Z\-][a-zA-Z0-9\-]*)(?:\.(?:0|[1-9][0-9]*|[0-9]*[a-zA-Z\-][a-zA-Z0-9\-]*))*))?)?)?$/;

function validateNpmVersionRangeTilde(input: string): boolean {
  return npmVersionRangeTildeRegex.test(input);
}

// Example
console.log(validateNpmVersionRangeTilde("~1.2.3")); // true

Test Cases

When to use this pattern

This pattern is drawn from the Dev & Systems > SemVer category and carries a ReDoS-safe certification. That matters for JavaScript developers because especially critical in long-running Node.js event loops where a ReDoS vulnerability can block the entire process. 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

Technical Notes

~1.2.3 allows >=1.2.3 <1.3.0. ~1.2 allows >=1.2.0 <1.3.0. ~1 allows >=1.0.0 <2.0.0. More conservative than caret ranges.