Readability Checker
Paste text to see its Flesch Reading Ease score and estimated grade level — a standard, rule-based formula, not a language model.
How the score is calculated
This tool uses the Flesch Reading Ease formula, which combines average sentence length and average syllables per word — shorter sentences and shorter words push the score up, toward "easier." The companion Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level estimates the US school grade a reader would need to follow the text comfortably. Both are decades-old, publicly documented formulas — no language model is involved, and nothing you paste is sent anywhere.
Common uses
- Checking whether a public-facing page reads at an appropriately plain level
- Comparing drafts of the same text for clarity before publishing
- Meeting a target reading level required by a style guide or plain-language policy
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?
Scores of 60–70 are considered "standard" or plain-English, easily understood by most adults. Above 70 is easier (aimed at a general or younger audience), while below 50 indicates more difficult, technical, or academic writing.
What reading level should a website be written at?
Many plain-language guidelines recommend aiming for roughly an 8th-grade reading level for general public-facing content, since it's understandable to the widest audience without feeling condescending to more advanced readers.
How can I make my text score higher (easier to read)?
Use shorter sentences, prefer shorter and more common words over longer or technical ones, and break up long paragraphs — all three directly improve the Flesch Reading Ease score, which rewards brevity.
Does this checker use AI to assess readability?
No — Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level are decades-old, publicly documented mathematical formulas based on sentence and word length. No language model is involved, and no text is sent anywhere.