MySQL RPAD() Function

The RPAD() function in MySQL adds a specified string to the right-hand side of an existing string until the combined string reaches a certain length. This is very useful for formatting strings to a consistent length or for padding strings with trailing characters.

RPAD(): Definition and Usage

RPAD() is used to right-pad strings, meaning it adds characters to the end of the string. This is often necessary for creating strings of a consistent length for things like formatting reports or aligning text. If the original string is already longer than the target length, the original string is truncated from the right to match the target length.

Syntax


RPAD(string, length, pad_string)

Parameter Values

Parameter	Description
`string`	The original string. This is required.
`length`	The desired final length of the string after padding. If the original string is longer, it's truncated from the right to this length. This is required.
`pad_string`	The string used for padding (added to the right of the original string). This is required.

Related Function

For left-padding (adding characters to the beginning of a string), use the LPAD() function.

Examples

Padding a String Literal

This example right-pads the string "SQL Tutorial" with "ABC" until it reaches a length of 20 characters.

Syntax


SELECT RPAD("SQL Tutorial", 20, "ABC");

Output


SQL TutorialABCABCABC

Padding Strings from a Column

This example right-pads the 'CustomerName' column from the 'Customers' table with "ABC" to a total length of 30 characters (assuming a 'Customers' table exists with a 'CustomerName' column).

Syntax


SELECT RPAD(CustomerName, 30, "ABC") AS RightPadCustomerName
FROM Customers;

Output


RightPadCustomerName
---------------------
(Each CustomerName right-padded with "ABC" to a length of 30 characters)