Readability Checker
Score your text with Flesch, Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog and more.
Your readability scores will appear here as you type.
How to Use the Readability Checker?
Find out how easy your text is to read, with six trusted readability formulas.
- 1
Paste at least a few sentences of your text into the box.
- 2
Read your Flesch Reading Ease score in the ring and the reading level next to it.
- 3
Compare the grade level scores such as Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog and SMOG.
- 4
Fix the sentences listed under Long sentences to simplify and watch your score improve.
Benefits of Using Our Readability Checker
Six formulas in one place
Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, SMOG, Coleman-Liau and the Automated Readability Index side by side.
Clear advice
Plain language labels tell you who your text suits and what score to aim for.
Specific fixes
The longest sentences are listed so you know exactly where to start editing.
Live and private
Scores update as you type and your text never leaves your browser.
Who Can Use This Readability Checker?
Content marketers
Write web copy that most visitors can read quickly.
Teachers
Match reading material to a class level.
Healthcare and legal writers
Make important information easy for the public to understand.
Students
Balance clarity and academic tone in essays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about the Readability Checker.
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?
Scores run roughly from 0 to 100, and higher means easier. A score of 60 to 70 is considered plain English that most adults can read easily, which is a good target for websites and emails. Academic papers often score between 30 and 50.
What does the grade level mean?
Grade level scores estimate the years of schooling, based on the US school system, that a reader needs to understand your text on first reading. A score of 8 means an average 13 to 14 year old could follow it. Most popular websites aim for grade 7 to 9.
Why do the formulas give different results?
Each formula measures slightly different things. Flesch-Kincaid focuses on sentence length and syllables, Gunning Fog counts complex words, and Coleman-Liau uses letters instead of syllables. Looking at all of them together, and at the average, gives a more balanced view.
How can I improve my readability score?
Use shorter sentences, choose simple words over long ones, and break up long paragraphs. Replacing a few words of three or more syllables, for example "use" instead of "utilize", and splitting the sentences flagged by the tool usually raises your score quickly.
How much text do I need for an accurate score?
Readability formulas work best with at least 100 words, ideally a few paragraphs. Very short texts can give extreme scores because one long word or sentence has a big effect on the average.
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