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r/explainlikeimfive rules, stats, and what to post

A source-backed Rankhog guide to r/explainlikeimfive: public rules, community context, posting fit, and startup-promotion risk before you publish.

Members
23.7M
Community age
Created Jul 2011, 15 years
To post
No minimum in the rules
To comment
No minimum in the rules
Self-promotion
Not mentioned in the rules
Links
Allowed with conditionsAllowed in comments if accompanied by an original written explanation or summary, not just quoted text.
Promo risk
MediumFrom the rules, not from removal counts

Checked October 22, 2026 from the community's public Reddit pages:

Check a post for r/explainlikeimfive

By Anthony Riera, founder and operator of Rankhog.

Subreddit guides combine public Reddit source URLs, captured rules, visible verification dates, and Rankhog's account-safety workflow.

Rule summary

  • Be Civil: Stay respectful, polite, and friendly. ELI5 is a for requesting help understanding complex concepts and sharing explanations [without fear of judgement](/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/j28z5/welcome/). Don't insult people or their good intentions in a post, comment, or otherwise, even if a person seems rude or ill-informed. Remember the positive spirit of ELI5. This includes plagiarism - acknowledge your sources! Use of bigoted slurs, directed at other users or not, is uncivil.
  • All submissions must seek objective explanations: ELI5 is not meant for any question that you may have. It is meant for simplifying complex *concepts*. Notably, posts will be immediately removed that ask for: - Information about a specific issue (personal experience, legal/relationship questions, medical questions, etc.) - Subjective/speculative replies - Straightforward answers/facts - Recent/current events - Religion/Politics - Hypotheticals - Reddit questions (itself/help). - Whole topic overviews - Business/Group/Individual motivations
  • Top-level comments must be written explanations: Replies to OP must be written explanations or relevant follow-up questions. They may not be jokes, anecdotes, etc. Short/succinct answers are not explanations, even if factually correct. Links to outside sources are allowed and encouraged, but must include an original explanation (not just quoted text) or summary. Links to relevant previous ELI5 posts or highly relevant other subreddits may be excepted. No plagiarism. All quoted text must be cited. No Bots/AI. This list is not comprehensive
  • Explain for laypeople (but not actual 5-year-olds): Unless OP states otherwise, assume no knowledge beyond a typical secondary education program. Avoid unexplained technical terms. Don't condescend; "like I'm five" is a figure of speech meaning "keep it clear and simple."
  • ELI5 is for factual information, not opinions: All comments must explain, ask about, correct or address facts. Trying to change someone's opinion or influence them with yours is not appropriate. If you are not able to submit, discuss or correct factual information without implicitly or explicitly involving your personal view on the matter, do not post.
  • Loaded questions are not allowed: A loaded question presumes a controversial or not obviously true statement as fact. "ELI5: Why was Obama the president when he wasn't born in the US?" is loaded. "ELI5: The controversy about where Obama was born" is a non-loaded way to ask about the same topic. If your question boils down to: "Why isn't this thing I believe (or is self evidently true) the case?" your question is loaded and belongs in another subreddit.
  • Search before posting; don't repeat old posts: To avoid repeats, search key words ("storm" for "How do Thunderstorms Form?"), not the whole title. If you found only explanations that weren't clear on your point, explain that, and state what you're still trying to understand. “Old posts” refers to questions older than one year. If there are posts on the topic in that timeframe you must explain why those posts do not answer the question. You can read more on our reposts policy [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/reposts).
  • Don't guess: If you don't know how to explain something, you don't need to reply. If you have a partly educated guess, only comment on the parts you are sure of.
  • Don't try to trick the bot: If the automatic moderator removes your post, read the whole message it gives you, and follow its advice. It's there to help, not to be evaded — evasion will result in a ban.
  • Posts must begin with "ELI5:": This is meant to help identify ELI5 posts on the frontpage or /r/all or any other collection. --- Questions *must* be clear from the post title. If you need to explain it in the text body, you probably need to rephrase. --- Moderation decisions are ultimately left up to the discretion of the ELI5 modteam. Do not try to find loopholes in the rules and sneak through them. Above all else, respect the spirit of the subreddit.
  • Link to the Detailed Rules: https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/wiki/detailed_rules/ Here is a link to the detailed rules which are not character constrained. The above rules are a summary.

Works well

  • ELI5: What is the difference between machine learning and artificial intelligence?
  • ELI5: Can you explain how quantum computing works in simple terms?
  • ELI5: How does the concept of supply and demand affect pricing?
  • ELI5: What is the basic idea behind blockchain technology?

Avoid

  • Asking for personal advice, legal questions, or medical questions, as the community is not for specific issues.
  • Posting without starting the title with the required “ELI5:” prefix.
  • Asking loaded questions that assume a controversial statement is already true.
  • Posting about recent or current events, or asking for whole topic overviews.
  • Trying to change someone's opinion or influence them with your own views, as it is not a place for opinions.

What r/explainlikeimfive Is For

Explain Like I'm Five is the best forum and archive on the internet for layperson friendly explanations. It is a place where people ask for help understanding complex concepts and where others share those simple explanations. The goal is to keep things clear and simple for everyone.

Rules That Matter Before Posting

The rules that decide if a post survives are “All submissions must seek objective explanations”, “Top-level comments must be written explanations”, “Posts must begin with “ELI5:””, and “ELI5 is for factual information, not opinions”.

What To Post

For respectful marketing, you should ask for an explanation of a complex concept related to your field. You must start your post title with “ELI5:”. The question itself needs to be objective, meaning it should not involve personal opinions or assume something is true before explaining it.

What To Avoid

You must avoid asking for information about a specific issue, like personal or medical questions. You should also avoid subjective or speculative replies, and you cannot post about religion, politics, or hypotheticals. Never use bigoted slurs or insult other users.

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Common questions about r/explainlikeimfive

Can I ask about a specific problem with my business or life?

The community is meant for simplifying complex concepts, not for specific personal issues, legal questions, or business advice.

Is the “ELI5:” prefix mandatory for my post to be seen?

Yes, all posts must begin with “ELI5:”. This is necessary to help identify ELI5 posts on the frontpage.

Can I link to external resources in my comments?

Links are allowed in comments, but they must include an original explanation or summary from you, not just quoted text.

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