r/explainlikeimfive vs r/NoStupidQuestions
Side-by-side using public descriptions, members, growth and rule titles from SubMouse. Missing fields show as n/a. Adult communities are excluded.
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Related to r/explainlikeimfive
Related to r/NoStupidQuestions
Structured ELI5 explanations vs open “no stupid questions” asks
r/explainlikeimfive archives layperson-friendly explanations. r/NoStupidQuestions invites any question, with a disclaimer that answers may be wrong on an anonymous forum.
In our directory ELI5 is larger (about 23.7M, rank #26) while NoStupidQuestions is about 7.6M (rank #102). Activity samples show NoStupidQuestions far hotter (~1172 posts/day vs ~76), reflecting easier posting. AskReddit is a different neighbour already covered in another SubMouse comparison.
ELI5 rules demand objective explanations, written top-level answers for laypeople, and ban opinion-seeking. NoStupidQuestions requires genuine human attempts at top-level answers, searching first, and bans medical-advice and troll questions.
- Use r/explainlikeimfive when you want a careful, objective explainer—not a poll of opinions.
- Use r/NoStupidQuestions for quicker, broader asks (still civil, still not medical advice).
- NoStupidQuestions is outside the live Top 100 cut on SubMouse (info tool); ELI5 has a full /r/ page.
Written comparison based on public descriptions and rule titles · updated 2026-11-06.
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!
- Members
- 23.7M
- 7-day growth
- +5K
- Posts/day
- 75.6
- Directory rank
- #26
- Created
- Jul 28, 2011
- Submissions
- Text posts
Sample mix: text posts 100%
Topics: Explanations & Q&A
Rule titles (short names we collected)
- Be Civil
- All submissions must seek objective explanations
- Top-level comments must be written explanations
- Explain for laypeople (but not actual 5-year-olds)
- ELI5 is for factual information, not opinions
- Loaded questions are not allowed
- Search before posting; don't repeat old posts
- Don't guess
- Don't try to trick the bot
- Posts must begin with "ELI5:"
- Link to the Detailed Rules
Open r/explainlikeimfive on SubMouse
r/NoStupidQuestions
No such thing as stupid questions
Ask away! Disclaimer: This is an anonymous forum so answers may not be correct
- Members
- 7.6M
- 7-day growth
- +17.1K
- Posts/day
- 1,172
- Directory rank
- #102
- Created
- Feb 2, 2013
- Submissions
- Text posts
Sample mix: text posts 100%
Topics: Questions & Discussion
Rule titles (short names we collected)
- Top level comments must contain a genuine human-written attempt at an answer
- Please try searching the subreddit for your question first
- Be Nice
- No medical advice questions
- No trolling or joke questions
- No self-promotion, shilling or begging
- No illegal/unethical or disturbing subject matter
- No disguised rants, agenda posts or potstirring
Open r/NoStupidQuestions on SubMouse
Supported differences
| Aspect | r/explainlikeimfive | r/NoStupidQuestions |
|---|
| Public focus (from each community’s public description) |
Explain Like I'm Five is the best forum and archive on the internet for layperson-friendly explanations. Don't Panic! |
Ask away! Disclaimer: This is an anonymous forum so answers may not be correct |
| Size r/explainlikeimfive is larger in our directory (about 3.1×). |
23.7M members |
7.6M members |
| Posting activity (our sample) |
75.6/day |
1,172/day |
| Common post types in our sample |
text posts 100% |
text posts 100% |
| Topic tags on SubMouse |
Explanations & Q&A |
Questions & Discussion |
| Selected rule titles (short names we collected) |
Be Civil; All submissions must seek objective explanations; Top-level comments must be written explanations; Explain for laypeople (but not actual 5-year-olds); ELI5 is for factual information, not opinions |
Top level comments must contain a genuine human-written attempt at an answer; Please try searching the subreddit for your question first; Be Nice; No medical advice questions; No trolling or joke questions |
Overlap without sameness
Both answer curiosity. ELI5’s collected titles emphasize civil tone, objective submissions, written top-level explanations, layperson framing, and facts over opinions. NoStupidQuestions emphasizes genuine human answers, searching first, niceness, and bans on medical advice and joke/troll questions.
Where this comparison comes from
Directory members/descriptions plus collected short rule titles and activity samples. Short titles only.
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 post-type mixes appear when we have an activity sample. Rule lines are short titles, not the full sidebar. Directory rank is listing order — communities outside the current Top 100 open in the info tool instead of a full community page.