Check how easy your text is to read with Flesch scores.
Analysed locally in your browser.
How is the Flesch readability score calculated?
Flesch Reading Ease = 206.835 − 1.015 × (words ÷ sentences) − 84.6 × (syllables ÷ words). Higher is easier; 60–70 is plain English, while the score runs from about 0 (very hard) to 100+ (very easy). Short sentences with common words score above 70; long, technical sentences score below 50. The Flesch–Kincaid grade level estimates the US school grade needed.
Understanding your result
Reading ease runs from about 0 (very hard) to 100+ (very easy). The grade level estimates the US school grade needed to understand the text.
Formula and method
Flesch Reading Ease = 206.835 − 1.015 × (words ÷ sentences) − 84.6 × (syllables ÷ words). Higher is easier; 60–70 is plain English.
Assumptions and limitations
Syllables are estimated with a heuristic, so scores are a close guide rather than an exact measurement.
Worked example
Short sentences with common words score above 70 (easy); long sentences with technical words score below 50.
How to use this tool
- Paste your text.
- Read the reading-ease score and grade level.
- Simplify long sentences and words to improve the score.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Pasting text without punctuation — sentence detection relies on full stops, question and exclamation marks.
About the Readability Score
Measure how easy your writing is to read. Paste your text to get the Flesch Reading Ease score, the Flesch–Kincaid grade level and supporting statistics.
Who should use this tool
Writers, marketers, teachers and students aiming for clear, accessible text.
Benefits
- You get the Flesch Reading Ease score and Flesch-Kincaid grade level in one view.
- Supporting statistics reveal the sentence and word length driving your score.
- Instant feedback lets you edit and re-check until the text reads clearly.
- Everything runs in your browser, so your draft stays on your device.
Practical use cases
- Checking that a blog post or article reads at plain-English level before publishing.
- Simplifying dense technical writing so a wider audience can follow it.
- Ensuring instructions or help content are easy enough for most readers.
- Comparing drafts to see which version scores as clearer and more accessible.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a good score?
For general audiences, aim for a Reading Ease of 60–70, roughly an 8th–9th grade level.
Which formula is used?
The Flesch Reading Ease and the Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level formulas.
How can I improve my readability score?
Shorter sentences and simpler, more common words raise the Reading Ease score, since the formula penalises long sentences and words with many syllables. Break up sprawling sentences, replace jargon with everyday terms, and re-check; small edits often move the score into the plain-English range.