# FT.EXPLAIN

```json metadata
{
  "title": "FT.EXPLAIN",
  "description": "Returns the execution plan for a complex query",
  "categories": ["docs","develop","stack","oss","rs","rc","oss","kubernetes","clients"],
  "arguments": [{"name":"index","type":"string"},{"name":"query","type":"string"},{"name":"dialect","optional":true,"since":"2.4.3","token":"DIALECT","type":"integer"}],
  "syntax_fmt": "FT.EXPLAIN index query [DIALECT dialect]",
  "complexity": "O(1)",
  "group": "search",
  "command_flags": ["readonly"],
  "acl_categories": ["@search"],
  "since": "1.0.0",
  "tableOfContents": {"sections":[{"id":"required-arguments","title":"Required arguments"},{"id":"optional-arguments","title":"Optional arguments"},{"id":"examples","title":"Examples"},{"id":"redis-enterprise-and-redis-cloud-compatibility","title":"Redis Enterprise and Redis Cloud compatibility"},{"id":"return-information","title":"Return information"},{"id":"see-also","title":"See also"},{"id":"related-topics","title":"Related topics"}]}
}
```














Return the execution plan for a complex query

[Examples](#examples)

## Required arguments

<details open>
<summary><code>index</code></summary>

is index name. You must first create the index using [`FT.CREATE`](https://redis.io/docs/latestcommands/ft.create/).
</details>

<details open>
<summary><code>query</code></summary>

is query string, as if sent to FT.SEARCH`.
</details>

## Optional arguments

<details open>
<summary><code>DIALECT {dialect_version}</code></summary>

is dialect version under which to execute the query. If not specified, the query executes under the default dialect version set during module initial loading or via [`FT.CONFIG SET`](https://redis.io/docs/latestcommands/ft.config-set/) command.
</details>


 
- In the returned response, a `+` on a term is an indication of stemming.
- Use `redis-cli --raw` to properly read line-breaks in the returned response.



## Examples

<details open>
<summary><b>Return the execution plan for a complex query</b></summary>


$ redis-cli --raw

127.0.0.1:6379> FT.EXPLAIN rd "(foo bar)|(hello world) @date:[100 200]|@date:[500 +inf]"
INTERSECT {
  UNION {
    INTERSECT {
      foo
      bar
    }
    INTERSECT {
      hello
      world
    }
  }
  UNION {
    NUMERIC {100.000000 <= x <= 200.000000}
    NUMERIC {500.000000 <= x <= inf}
  }
}

</details>

## Redis Enterprise and Redis Cloud compatibility

| Redis<br />Enterprise | Redis Cloud<br />Flexible & Annual | Redis Cloud<br />Free & Fixed | <span style="min-width: 9em; display: table-cell">Notes</span> |
|:----------------------|:-----------------|:-----------------|:------|
| <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Supported</span> | <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Supported</span> | <span title="Supported">&#x2705; Supported</nobr></span> |  |

## Return information

{{< multitabs id="ft-explain-return-info" 
    tab1="RESP2" 
    tab2="RESP3" >}}

One of the following:
* [Bulk string](https://redis.io/docs/latest/develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings) containing the query execution plan.
* [Simple error reply](https://redis.io/docs/latest/develop/reference/protocol-spec#simple-errors) in these cases: no such index, syntax error in query.

-tab-sep-

One of the following:
* [Bulk string](https://redis.io/docs/latest/develop/reference/protocol-spec#bulk-strings) containing the query execution plan.
* [Simple error reply](https://redis.io/docs/latest/develop/reference/protocol-spec#simple-errors) in these cases: no such index, syntax error in query.



## See also

[`FT.CREATE`](https://redis.io/docs/latestcommands/ft.create/) | [`FT.SEARCH`](https://redis.io/docs/latestcommands/ft.search/) | [`FT.CONFIG SET`](https://redis.io/docs/latestcommands/ft.config-set/)

## Related topics

[RediSearch](https://redis.io/docs/latest/develop/ai/search-and-query/)