About the Explain It Simply
Explain It Simply turns a hard idea or passage into a clear, short explanation. Type a concept, a question or paste a paragraph you cannot follow, then choose who the explanation is for: a curious 10-year-old, a teenager or an adult who is new to the subject. You get three short paragraphs: what it is, how it works, and an everyday example or comparison. If the AI is unsure about something, it says so instead of guessing. Your text is sent to our AI service and is not stored.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Explain It Simply
- 1Type the concept or question, or paste a paragraph that is hard to understand.
- 2Choose who you want it explained to.
- 3Press Explain it.
- 4Read the three short parts: what it is, how it works and an example.
- 5Ask again with a narrower question if something is still unclear.
Why simple explanations help
If you can explain an idea simply, you probably understand it. If you cannot follow an explanation, it is often because it uses terms you do not know yet. A plain version gives you a foothold, so that the technical version makes sense afterwards.
Ask a good question
A narrow question gets a better answer. "How does a vaccine train the immune system?" is clearer than "vaccines". For a hard passage, paste only the part that confuses you, not the whole chapter, and say nothing else.
- Be specific about the part you do not understand
- Choose the level that matches your background
- Ask a follow-up for each missing piece
Use it for study
After reading the explanation, close it and explain the idea back in your own words. If you get stuck, that shows what to review. To test yourself, make questions from your notes with the Question Generator, and shorten long texts first with the AI Summarizer.
Know its limits
A simple version leaves things out on purpose, and sometimes the comparison it chooses is imperfect. Treat the example as a way in, not as the full truth. For health, law or money, use official sources and professionals.
Related tools
If a text is just too long, the AI Summarizer shortens it first. To make a hard text easier to read without changing the meaning, try the Paraphrasing Tool with the Simple style, and check the reading level with the Readability Score Checker.
Features
- Three short paragraphs: what, how and an example
- Three levels: 10-year-old, teenager, adult beginner
- Works for concepts, questions and pasted passages
- Says when it is unsure
- Same language as your input
- Copy the explanation
Frequently asked questions
Is the explanation always accurate?
No. Simplifying can lose detail, and AI can be wrong. Use it to get a first understanding, then check important points in a textbook or a trustworthy site.
What can I paste in?
A concept such as "inflation", a question such as "why is the sky blue", or a paragraph from a textbook, contract or article. The tool takes up to 800 characters.
Can it explain legal or medical text?
It can make the language clearer, but it is not a lawyer or doctor. Do not make decisions about your health or legal matters from its answer; ask a qualified professional.
What do the levels change?
The 10-year-old level uses everyday words and a simple comparison. Teenager uses plain words and a relatable example. Adult beginner avoids jargon or explains it as it appears.
Will it use the same language I write in?
Yes. Write in your language and the explanation is in the same language.
Why is the answer short?
Short answers keep the free service available to everyone. For a bigger topic, ask about one part at a time.
Can teachers use it?
Yes, as a way to find a new angle or analogy. Check the content for accuracy before using it in a lesson.
Is my text stored?
No. It is sent to our AI service to write the explanation and is not stored.