Readability Checker
Analyze any text with Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, and other readability formulas. Get instant grade-level scores and improvement suggestions.
How to Use the Readability Checker
1
Paste Your Text
Copy and paste any article, blog post, essay, or document into the text area. The checker works with text of any length.
2
Instant Analysis
Results update automatically as you type or paste. See Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog Index, and detailed text statistics.
3
Improve Your Writing
Use the grade level targets and suggestions to simplify your text. Shorter sentences and simpler words improve readability scores.
Readability Score Reference
| Score Range | Description | Grade Level | Typical Content |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | Very Easy | 5th grade | Children's books, comics |
| 80-90 | Easy | 6th grade | Popular magazines |
| 70-80 | Fairly Easy | 7th grade | Newspapers, blogs |
| 60-70 | Standard | 8th-9th grade | Plain English, general audience |
| 50-60 | Fairly Difficult | 10th-12th grade | Textbooks, technical docs |
| 30-50 | Difficult | College | Academic papers, reports |
| 0-30 | Very Difficult | College graduate | Legal documents, scientific journals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Flesch Reading Ease scores range from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate text that is easier to read. Scores of 60-70 are considered plain English easily understood by 13-15 year olds. Scores below 30 indicate very difficult academic text. The formula uses average sentence length and average syllables per word.
For general audiences, aim for a Flesch Reading Ease of 60-70 (plain English). Blog posts and marketing content should target grade level 6-8. Academic papers may target grade level 12-16. Legal documents often score below grade 12 but benefit from simplification when possible.
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula is: 0.39 x (words/sentences) + 11.8 x (syllables/words) - 15.59. The result corresponds to a US school grade level. For example, a score of 8.0 means an 8th grader can understand the text. Most newspapers target grade level 6-8.
The Gunning Fog Index estimates the years of formal education needed to understand a text on first reading. It uses average sentence length and the percentage of complex words (3 or more syllables). Scores of 7-8 are ideal for general audiences. Scores above 12 indicate college-level reading difficulty.
Use shorter sentences, prefer simpler words, avoid jargon, and break long paragraphs into smaller chunks. Aim for an average of 15-20 words per sentence. Replace multi-syllable words with simpler alternatives when possible. Active voice generally scores better than passive voice.
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