What is the Flesch Reading Ease score?

The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a scale from 0 to 100 based on average sentence length and average syllables per word. Higher scores indicate easier-to-read text. Scores of 90–100 are easily understood by an average 11-year-old; scores of 60–70 are easily understood by 13–15 year-olds and represent the ideal range for general web content and journalism; scores below 30 are best understood by university graduates. The formula was developed by Rudolf Flesch and is widely used in education, publishing, and government communication.

What is the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?

The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level converts text complexity into a US school grade equivalent. A score of 8.0 means the text is appropriate for an 8th grader, while a score of 12.0 suggests high school senior level. Most general web content should target grades 6–9 for maximum accessibility. This formula is used by the US Department of Defense, insurance companies, and many government agencies to ensure their documents are understandable by the general public.

How can I improve my readability score?

The most effective improvements are: shortening sentences (aim for 15–20 words on average), using simpler words with fewer syllables (say "use" instead of "utilize"), breaking up long paragraphs, using active voice instead of passive voice, and avoiding jargon unless writing for a specialist audience. Each of these changes directly improves the mathematical readability formulas because they all reduce average sentence length and syllable count.

What readability score should I aim for?

The ideal readability score depends on your audience. For general web content, blog posts, and marketing copy, aim for a Flesch Reading Ease of 60–70 and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 7–9. For academic papers or technical documentation, higher complexity is acceptable. For children's content or healthcare patient materials, aim for Flesch Reading Ease above 80. The New York Times writes at approximately a Grade 10 level; popular magazines target Grade 7–8.

Readability Checker — Flesch-Kincaid Score Tool

Free Online Readability Checker

Check how readable your writing is with a suite of industry-standard readability scores — instantly and for free. Our online readability checker calculates the Flesch Reading Ease score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, and other key metrics to tell you exactly how easy or difficult your text is to read. The Flesch Reading Ease score ranges from 0 (very difficult) to 100 (very easy), with 60–70 being the sweet spot for general audiences. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level translates your text complexity into a US school grade equivalent — a score of 8 means your text is readable by an 8th grader. These scores are used by teachers, content strategists, UX writers, government communicators, healthcare providers, and marketers to ensure their writing is accessible to the intended audience. Paste your text, see your scores instantly, and get actionable suggestions for improving readability. Works for English text of any length.

How to Use

Paste or type your text into the text area above.
Readability scores and stats update instantly as you type.
Check the Reading Ease score and Grade Level for a quick assessment.
Review the detailed stats (syllables, averages) and the visual scale.
Follow the suggestions at the bottom to improve readability.

FAQ

What is the Flesch Reading Ease score?: The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a scale from 0 to 100 based on average sentence length and average syllables per word. Higher scores indicate easier-to-read text. Scores of 90–100 are easily understood by an average 11-year-old; scores of 60–70 are easily understood by 13–15 year-olds and represent the ideal range for general web content and journalism; scores below 30 are best understood by university graduates. The formula was developed by Rudolf Flesch and is widely used in education, publishing, and government communication.
What is the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?: The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level converts text complexity into a US school grade equivalent. A score of 8.0 means the text is appropriate for an 8th grader, while a score of 12.0 suggests high school senior level. Most general web content should target grades 6–9 for maximum accessibility. This formula is used by the US Department of Defense, insurance companies, and many government agencies to ensure their documents are understandable by the general public.
How can I improve my readability score?: The most effective improvements are: shortening sentences (aim for 15–20 words on average), using simpler words with fewer syllables (say "use" instead of "utilize"), breaking up long paragraphs, using active voice instead of passive voice, and avoiding jargon unless writing for a specialist audience. Each of these changes directly improves the mathematical readability formulas because they all reduce average sentence length and syllable count.
What readability score should I aim for?: The ideal readability score depends on your audience. For general web content, blog posts, and marketing copy, aim for a Flesch Reading Ease of 60–70 and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 7–9. For academic papers or technical documentation, higher complexity is acceptable. For children's content or healthcare patient materials, aim for Flesch Reading Ease above 80. The New York Times writes at approximately a Grade 10 level; popular magazines target Grade 7–8.