Readability Score Calculator

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Paste or type your text below Minimum 100 words recommended for accurate analysis

Sample texts:

Words

Sentences

Syllables

Words/Sentence

Syllables/Word

Flesch Reading Ease Score

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Your text will be analyzed using multiple readability formulas to determine the optimal reading level.

Very Difficult (0) Difficult (30) Average (60) Easy (80) Very Easy (100)

All Readability Scores

Flesch-Kincaid Grade

US Grade Level

Gunning Fog Index

Years of Education

SMOG Index

Years of Education

Coleman-Liau Index

US Grade Level

Automated Readability

US Grade Level

Average Grade Level

Consensus

Target Audience Match

👶

Children

Grade 1-4

🎒

Elementary

Grade 5-6

📚

Middle School

Grade 7-8

🎓

High School

Grade 9-12

🏛️

College

Grade 13-16

👔

Professional

Graduate+

Complex Words Analysis

Words with 3+ syllables that may reduce readability:

Enter text to see complex words...

Readability Formula Reference

Flesch Reading Ease

206.835 - 1.015(words/sentences) - 84.6(syllables/words)

Score 0-100. Higher = easier to read. Target 60-70 for general audience.

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level

0.39(words/sentences) + 11.8(syllables/words) - 15.59

Returns US grade level. Most newspapers target grade 7-8.

Gunning Fog Index

0.4[(words/sentences) + 100(complex words/words)]

Complex words = 3+ syllables. Returns years of education needed.

SMOG Index

1.0430 × sqrt(polysyllables × 30/sentences) + 3.1291

Best for healthcare content. Requires 30+ sentences for accuracy.

Coleman-Liau Index

0.0588L - 0.296S - 15.8

L = avg letters per 100 words, S = avg sentences per 100 words.

Readability Guidelines

Content Type	Recommended Grade	Flesch Score	Audience
Children's Books	Grade 2-4	90-100	Ages 6-10
Consumer Content	Grade 5-6	80-90	General Public
News Articles	Grade 7-8	60-70	Average Adult
Business Writing	Grade 8-10	50-60	Professionals
Technical Docs	Grade 10-12	30-50	Specialists
Academic Papers	Grade 12+	0-30	Academics

Tips to Improve Readability

Shorten sentences: Aim for 15-20 words per sentence. Break long sentences into smaller ones.
Use simpler words: Replace complex words with common alternatives. "Use" instead of "utilize", "help" instead of "facilitate".
Avoid jargon: Technical terms reduce readability. Define necessary jargon or use plain language alternatives.
Use active voice: "The team completed the project" is clearer than "The project was completed by the team".
Add subheadings: Break content into sections. This improves scanability and comprehension.
Use bullet points: Lists are easier to read than dense paragraphs.
Read aloud: If you stumble while reading, your readers will too. Simplify those sections.