diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 82644187..71f9ff2d 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ Add to that an awesome [Wiki](https://github.com/jarun/nnn/wiki)!
   - By file name, modification/access time, size, extension
 - Search
   - Instant filtering with *search-as-you-type*
-  - Regex (default) and substring match
+  - Regex and substring (default) matches
   - Subtree search to open or edit files (using plugin)
 - Mimes
   - Open with desktop opener or specify a custom app
@@ -189,6 +189,7 @@ optional args:
  -e name load session by name
  -E      use EDITOR for undetached edits
  -f      run filter as cmd on prompt key
+ -g      regex filters [default: string]
  -H      show hidden files
  -i      nav-as-you-type mode
  -K      detect key collision
@@ -197,7 +198,6 @@ optional args:
  -p file selection file [stdout if '-']
  -r      use advcpmv patched cp, mv
  -R      disable rollover at edges
- -s      string filters [default: regex]
  -S      du mode
  -t      disable dir auto-select
  -v      show version
diff --git a/nnn.1 b/nnn.1
index 8130587d..5345ba89 100644
--- a/nnn.1
+++ b/nnn.1
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 .Op Ar -e name
 .Op Ar -E
 .Op Ar -f
+.Op Ar -g
 .Op Ar -H
 .Op Ar -i
 .Op Ar -K
@@ -20,7 +21,6 @@
 .Op Ar -p file
 .Op Ar -r
 .Op Ar -R
-.Op Ar -s
 .Op Ar -S
 .Op Ar -v
 .Op Ar -x
@@ -65,6 +65,9 @@ supports the following options:
 .Fl f
         run filter as command when the prompt key is pressed
 .Pp
+.Fl g
+        use regex filters instead of substring match
+.Pp
 .Fl H
         show hidden files
 .Pp
@@ -89,9 +92,6 @@ supports the following options:
 .Fl R
         disable rollover at edges
 .Pp
-.Fl s
-        use substring match for filters instead of regex
-.Pp
 .Fl S
         start in disk usage analyzer mode
 .Pp
@@ -137,10 +137,9 @@ When a session is loaded dynamically, the last working session is saved automati
 All the session files are located in the \fB${XDG_CONFIG_HOME:-$HOME/.config}/nnn/sessions\fR directory by the session name.
 "@" is the "last session" file.
 .Sh FILTERS
-Filters support regexes (default) to instantly (search-as-you-type) list the matching
-entries in the current directory.
+Filters are substrings to find matching entries in the current directory instantly (search-as-you-type). There is a program option to use regex filters.
 .Pp
-Common use cases:
+Common regex use cases:
 .Pp
 (1) To list all matches starting with the filter expression, start the expression
 with a '^' (caret) symbol.
@@ -149,8 +148,6 @@ with a '^' (caret) symbol.
 .br
 (3) Use '.*' to match any character (\fIsort of\fR fuzzy search).
 .Pp
-There is a program option to filter entries by substring match instead of regex.
-.Pp
 There is a program option to execute the current filter as a command when the prompt key is pressed.
 .Pp
 In the \fInavigate-as-you-type\fR mode directories are opened in filter mode,
diff --git a/src/nnn.c b/src/nnn.c
index c0beb5c5..6629d99a 100644
--- a/src/nnn.c
+++ b/src/nnn.c
@@ -293,7 +293,7 @@ static settings cfg = {
 	0, /* useeditor */
 	0, /* runplugin */
 	0, /* runctx */
-	1, /* filter_re */
+	0, /* filter_re */
 	0, /* filtercmd */
 	0, /* trash */
 	1, /* mtime */
@@ -1804,7 +1804,7 @@ static int visible_str(const fltrexp_t *fltrexp, const char *fname)
 	return strcasestr(fname, fltrexp->str) != NULL;
 }
 
-static int (*filterfn)(const fltrexp_t *fltr, const char *fname) = &visible_re;
+static int (*filterfn)(const fltrexp_t *fltr, const char *fname) = &visible_str;
 
 static int entrycmp(const void *va, const void *vb)
 {
@@ -5449,6 +5449,7 @@ static void usage(void)
 		" -e name load session by name\n"
 		" -E      use EDITOR for undetached edits\n"
 		" -f      run filter as cmd on prompt key\n"
+		" -g      regex filters [default: string]\n"
 		" -H      show hidden files\n"
 		" -i      nav-as-you-type mode\n"
 		" -K      detect key collision\n"
@@ -5457,7 +5458,6 @@ static void usage(void)
 		" -p file selection file [stdout if '-']\n"
 		" -r      use advcpmv patched cp, mv\n"
 		" -R      disable rollover at edges\n"
-		" -s      string filters [default: regex]\n"
 		" -S      du mode\n"
 		" -t      disable dir auto-select\n"
 		" -v      show version\n"
@@ -5604,7 +5604,7 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 	bool progress = FALSE;
 #endif
 
-	while ((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "HSKiab:cde:Efnop:rRstvxh")) != -1) {
+	while ((opt = getopt(argc, argv, "HSKiab:cde:Efgnop:rRtvxh")) != -1) {
 		switch (opt) {
 		case 'S':
 			cfg.blkorder = 1;
@@ -5635,6 +5635,10 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		case 'f':
 			cfg.filtercmd = 1;
 			break;
+		case 'g':
+			cfg.filter_re = 1;
+			filterfn = &visible_re;
+			break;
 		case 'H':
 			cfg.showhidden = 1;
 			break;
@@ -5669,10 +5673,6 @@ int main(int argc, char *argv[])
 		case 'R':
 			cfg.rollover = 0;
 			break;
-		case 's':
-			cfg.filter_re = 0;
-			filterfn = &visible_str;
-			break;
 		case 't':
 			cfg.autoselect = 0;
 			break;