Regex Explainer
Break down and explain complex regular expressions step by step.
How to Use This Tool
Understanding complex regular expressions can be challenging. This tool breaks down any regex pattern into its components and explains each part in plain English.
- Enter your regular expression pattern
- The tool will analyze each component
- Read the step-by-step explanation
- Learn how each part contributes to the overall pattern
Common Regex Components
Character Classes
Sets of characters like [a-z], \d, \w that define which characters can match
Quantifiers
Specify how many times a pattern should repeat: *, +, ?, {n}, {n,m}
Anchors
Match positions rather than characters: ^ for start, $ for end, \b for word boundaries
Groups
Parentheses () create groups for capturing and applying quantifiers to multiple characters
Popular Patterns
Email Address
Validate standard email formats. Includes support for common domains and subdomains.
Try Email Regex →Dates (YYYY-MM-DD)
Match dates in ISO 8601 format. Validates year, month, and day structure.
Try Date Regex →US Phone Number
Match various US phone formats including dashes, dots, and parentheses.
Try Phone Regex →