Template:Explain

Template documentation[view] [edit] [history] [purge]

Use {{Explain|date=September 2025}} in the body of an article as a request for other editors to add further explanation to text that assumes expert understanding of a subject. When the problem is not with the level of information given, but simply with the wording, one may use {{Clarify}} instead. For dealing with dubious information, please use one of the following: {{citation needed}}, {{Verify source}}, {{Dubious}} or {{Disputed inline}}. This template is a self-reference and so is part of the Wikipedia project rather than the encyclopedic content.

Use {{Explain-wrap}} for a version with word wrap.

Usage

This is an in-line template, place the template immediately after the material in question, as one would do with a footnote. For example:

A fact that needs further explanation.{{Explain|date=September 2025}}

The above text will cause the tag to appear inline. This tag is linked to Wikipedia:Please clarify for further information.

Parameters

|date=

This template allows an optional date parameter that records when the tag was added. If this template is added without the date parameter, the date parameter will be added soon after by a bot.

|reason=

Because it may not be immediately apparent to other editors what about the tagged passage is in need of further explanation, it is generally helpful to add a brief reason for the tag: {{Explain|date=September 2025|reason=What the problem is.}}. The |reason= parameter displays when the cursor is placed over the template, eg.

If the explanation would be lengthy, use the article's talk page. The reason parameter does not display properly if it contains quotation marks.

Categorisation

Adding this template to an article will automatically place the article into Category:Wikipedia articles needing clarification, or a dated subcategory thereof.

Redirects

• {{Elucidate}}
• {{Further explanation needed}}

See also

• {{Explain-wrap}}
• Similar inline templates:
  • {{Clarify}}
  • {{Definition}}
  • {{Examples}}
  • {{Non sequitur}}
• Related box templates:
  • {{Confusing}}
  • {{Missing information}}
  • {{Expand section}}
• Relevant project pages:
  • Wikipedia:Citing sources
  • Wikipedia:Explain jargon
  • Wikipedia:Please clarify

TemplateData

This is the TemplateData for this template used by TemplateWizard, VisualEditor and other tools. See a monthly parameter usage report for Template:Explain in articles based on its TemplateData.

TemplateData for Explain

Use {{Explain}} in the body of an article as a request for other editors to add further explanation to text that assumes expert understanding of a subject. When the problem is not with the level of information given, but simply with the wording, one may use {{Clarify}} instead. For dealing with dubious information, please use one of the following: {{citation needed}}, {{Verify source}}, {{Dubious}} or {{Disputed inline}}.

Template parameters[Edit template data]

Parameter		Description	Type	Status
Reason	reason	A brief reason for the tag. Because it may not be immediately apparent to other editors what about the tagged passage is in need of further explanation, a brief reason is generally helpful. The reason parameter displays when the mouse cursor is placed over the text the template inserts.	String	suggested
Date	date	An optional date parameter that records when the tag was added. If this template is added without the date parameter, the date parameter will be added soon after by a bot. Auto value {{subst:CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{subst:CURRENTYEAR}}	Date	suggested

The above documentation is transcluded from Template:Explain/doc. (edit | history)
Editors can experiment in this template's sandbox (create | mirror) and testcases (create) pages.
Add categories to the /doc subpage. Subpages of this template.