Readability Score Checker
Measure how easy your text is to read with Flesch-Kincaid and other scores.
Flesch Reading Ease
Flesch-Kincaid Grade
Avg Words/Sentence
Avg Syllables/Word
Complex Words %
Interpretation
Readability Scale
How It Works
Paste your text and click Analyse. The tool calculates multiple readability scores including Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and Gunning Fog Index.
**Readability Score Checker — Write for Your Audience**
Readability measures how easy your text is to understand. Writing that is too complex loses readers; writing that is too simple may not convey necessary depth. Readability scores give you an objective measure of your writing's complexity so you can calibrate it for your specific audience.
**Readability Formulas Explained**
**Flesch Reading Ease (0–100)**
- 90–100: Very Easy (5th grade)
- 70–80: Easy (6th grade)
- 60–70: Standard (7th grade)
- 50–60: Fairly Difficult (10th–12th grade)
- 30–50: Difficult (college level)
- 0–30: Very Difficult (professional/academic)
Most web content should target a score of 60–70 for broad audiences. Legal and medical documents often score below 30.
**Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level**
Converts the Flesch score to a US school grade level. A score of 8.0 means the text is appropriate for an 8th grader (age 13–14). Content for general audiences should aim for Grade 8–10.
**Gunning Fog Index**
Estimates the years of formal education needed to understand the text. Newsweek targets a score of ~11; Harvard Law Review is ~18+. Target 12 or below for web content.
**SMOG Grade**
Estimates years of education needed to understand a piece of writing. Particularly useful for healthcare communications.
**Why Readability Matters**
*SEO* — Google's algorithms assess content quality partly through readability signals. Easy-to-read content tends to have lower bounce rates and higher dwell time, both positive ranking signals.
*Conversion rates* — Marketing copy with a high readability score converts better. The Nielsen Norman Group found that readable content improves usability significantly.
*Healthcare* — Patient instructions should target Grade 6–8 (Flesch 60–70) so all patients can understand them regardless of education level.
*Legal* — While legal documents must be precise, plain-language movements in law encourage more readable contracts and notices.
**Tips to Improve Readability**
1. Use short sentences (15–20 words average).
2. Prefer common words over technical jargon.
3. Break long paragraphs into 3–4 sentences.
4. Use bullet lists for multi-item content.
5. Use active voice rather than passive.