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Regex explainer

Explain any regular expression in plain English, piece by piece.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Works on any device

About Regex explainer

Paste a regular expression and read it as plain English, piece by piece: anchors, groups, character classes, quantifiers and lookaheads. It is ideal for understanding a pattern found in old code. For instance, a digit class followed by the number three means exactly three digits, and the caret ties the match to the start.

How to use Regex explainer

  1. Type or paste your text in the box above.
  2. The result appears instantly as you type.
  3. Copy the result or download it as a file.

Why use this tool?

Also known as

Frequently asked questions

What does ^ and $ mean in a regex?

The caret anchors the match to the start of the text and the dollar sign to the end, so the whole string must fit the pattern.

Is Regex explainer free?

Yes. Regex explainer on Toolipedia is free to use, with no sign-up and no watermark.

Is it safe to use?

Yes. Everything is worked out in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent to our server.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. It works in any modern browser on Android and iPhone, as well as on tablets and computers. There's nothing to install.

Do I need an account?

No. Just open the page and use the tool. There's no sign-up and no email needed.

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