Explicit knowledge is the kind of knowledge that’s out in the open, easily accessible, and straightforward to share. It is objective, rational, and codified, meaning it exists outside of an individual's mind.

Examples include databases, patents, operational manuals, scientific formulas, and strategic reports. Because explicit knowledge can be stored, retrieved, and replicated. For organisations, effectively transferring knowledge, for example, through new software implementations or detailed process documentation, is crucial for rapidly scaling operations and ensuring consistent quality across global teams.

In contrast, tacit knowledge is personal, experiential, and difficult to articulate. This includes individual insights, skills, and intuition—the "know-how" that an expert possesses. Effective knowledge management requires converting tacit knowledge into explicit forms for wider organizational benefit, a process known as externalization.