> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/rpad.md).

# RPAD

## Syntax

```bnf
RPAD(str, len [, padstr])
```

## Description

Returns the string `str`, right-padded with the string `padstr` to a length of `len` characters. If `str` is longer than `len`, the return value is shortened to `len` characters. If `padstr` is omitted, the RPAD function pads spaces.

Returns `NULL` if given a `NULL` argument. If the result is empty (a length of zero), returns either an empty string, or, with [SQL\_MODE=Oracle](/docs/release-notes/community-server/about/compatibility-and-differences/sql_modeoracle.md), `NULL`.

The Oracle mode version of the function can be accessed outside of Oracle mode by using `RPAD_ORACLE` as the function name.

## Examples

```sql
SELECT RPAD('hello',10,'.');
+----------------------+
| RPAD('hello',10,'.') |
+----------------------+
| hello.....           |
+----------------------+

SELECT RPAD('hello',2,'.');
+---------------------+
| RPAD('hello',2,'.') |
+---------------------+
| he                  |
+---------------------+
```

With the pad string defaulting to space:

```sql
SELECT RPAD('hello',30);
+--------------------------------+
| RPAD('hello',30)               |
+--------------------------------+
| hello                          |
+--------------------------------+
```

Oracle mode:

```sql
SELECT RPAD('',0),RPAD_ORACLE('',0);
+------------+-------------------+
| RPAD('',0) | RPAD_ORACLE('',0) |
+------------+-------------------+
|            | NULL              |
+------------+-------------------+
```

## See Also

* [LPAD](/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/lpad.md) - Left-padding instead of right-padding.

<sub>*This page is licensed: GPLv2, originally from*</sub> [<sub>*fill\_help\_tables.sql*</sub>](https://github.com/MariaDB/server/blob/main/scripts/fill_help_tables.sql)

{% @marketo/form formId="4316" %}


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://mariadb.com/docs/server/reference/sql-functions/string-functions/rpad.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.