The readability score calculator analyses your text and returns six industry-standard readability scores. Paste a minimum of 100 words to get accurate results.
Score interpretation
Understanding Readability Scores
Readability formulas estimate how easy a piece of writing is to understand, based on measurable text properties: sentence length, word length, syllable count, and character count. None of them capture context, clarity of thought, or engagement — but they are useful proxies for accessibility.
Target scores by content type
Blog content typically targets a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of 7-9 (that's 7th-9th grade) for broad audiences. Health information targeting general consumers should aim for grade 6-8 — studies show most patients struggle with health content above grade 8. Legal documents average grade 16+, which is why most people find them incomprehensible. Email marketing performs best at grade 5-6 (conversational).
How to improve your readability score
The two biggest levers are sentence length and word length. Break long sentences into two. Replace multi-syllable words with simpler synonyms where meaning is equivalent (use/utilize, begin/commence, show/demonstrate). Use active voice. These changes improve scores without "dumbing down" — they make writing clearer for everyone including experts.
FAQ
What is Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level converts text complexity into a U.S. school grade equivalent. A score of 8 means an 8th grader can understand the text. Most popular websites and newspapers target grades 7-9. Technical documentation might target grades 12-14.
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?
Scores range from 0-100. 60-70 is 'standard' and easy for most adults. 70-80 is easy (aimed at 13-year-olds). Below 30 is 'very confusing' and typical of professional/academic writing. Most blog content targets 60-70.
What is the Gunning Fog Index?
The Gunning Fog Index estimates years of formal education needed to understand the text on first reading. A score of 12 requires a high school education. Scores above 17 are considered graduate-level. News writing targets 8-10.
How many sentences are needed for accurate scores?
Readability formulas work best on at least 100 words (roughly 5-7 sentences). Shorter samples have high variance. For best accuracy, paste at least 300 words.
Which readability formula should I use?
Use Flesch Reading Ease for general content — it's the most widely understood. Flesch-Kincaid Grade is good for educational content where grade targeting matters. Gunning Fog is popular in journalism. SMOG is most accurate for health communications. Use multiple scores together for the most reliable picture.