Regex Plain-English Explainer
6 toolsGet a token-by-token explanation of a regex pattern.
Runs in your browser — your files and text stay on your device
Get a plain-English, token-by-token explanation of a regular expression. Paste a pattern you inherited or copied and see what each part does. Always test the pattern against real input before relying on it.
^start of the string (or line, in multiline mode)\da digit (0–9){3}exactly 3 of the preceding token-the literal text "-"\da digit (0–9){4}exactly 4 of the preceding token$end of the string (or line, in multiline mode)How to use this tool
- 1Type or paste a regex pattern.
- 2Each token breaks down into a plain-English explanation, in order.
Frequently asked questions
Does this explain every possible regex feature?
It covers the common tokens — character classes, anchors, quantifiers, groups — but advanced features like lookaheads may show as literal text.
Is my pattern sent anywhere?
No — parsing and explanation run entirely in your browser.