A short, curated guide — not an automatic related dump. Figures come from SubMouse's safe-for-work directory when we have them.
r/explainlikeimfive gives simplified explanations of concepts. Quick questions, explaining a current event, explaining a joke, identifying an object, and expert science answers each have a better-suited room.
Stay on explainlikeimfive for simple explanations of concepts. Use NoStupidQuestions for any quick question, OutOfTheLoop for what is going on right now, ExplainTheJoke for a meme you do not get, whatisit to identify something, and askscience for a science answer.
r/explainlikeimfive — Explain Like I'm Five | Don't Panic!
Explain Like I'm Five is the best forum and archive on the internet for layperson-friendly explanations. Don't Panic!
No such thing as stupid questions
When to choose it: Any straightforward question.
Why it is here: Its public description: “Ask away! Disclaimer: This is an anonymous forum so answers may not be correct”
How it differs from r/explainlikeimfive: No simplicity requirement.
What's everyone on about?
When to choose it: You want context on something current.
Why it is here: Its public description: “A subreddit to help you keep up to date with what's going on with reddit and other stuff.”
How it differs from r/explainlikeimfive: Current events and memes.
My feeble mind can't comprehend, explain the joke for me my friend!
When to choose it: You do not get a meme or joke.
Why it is here: Listed as related to r/explainlikeimfive in our directory. Its public description: “Your friend sent you a meme and you don't get it? Random image has everyone laughing and you're too dense to understand? Verbal joke a friend said, and you wanna type it…”
How it differs from r/explainlikeimfive: Joke explanations.
What is it?
When to choose it: You want something identified.
Why it is here: Listed as related to r/explainlikeimfive in our directory. Its public description: “Do you know what it is? No, we don't either. Maybe someone does?”
How it differs from r/explainlikeimfive: Identification.
AskScience: Got Questions? Get Answers.
When to choose it: You want a science answer.
Why it is here: Its public description: “Ask a science question, get a science answer.”
How it differs from r/explainlikeimfive: Science Q&A.
Run the automatic finder for r/explainlikeimfive (results are matched from our directory; that page is not indexed): Find related to r/explainlikeimfive.
Members and public descriptions come from SubMouse's safe-for-work directory (as of 2026-11-02 UTC); 7-day growth measured from 2026-10-26. Posts/day and culture claims appear only when we have them — missing fields stay n/a. Directory rank is listing order. Communities outside the published Top 100 open in the info tool instead of a full community page. Guide updated 2026-11-06.