Check the readability of your text with Flesch-Kincaid scores, grade levels, and actionable tips.
| Score | Grade | Level | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 - 100 | 5th grade | Very Easy | Harry Potter |
| 80 - 89 | 6th grade | Easy | Consumer magazines |
| 70 - 79 | 7th grade | Fairly Easy | Sports news |
| 60 - 69 | 8th - 9th grade | Standard | USA Today, BBC News |
| 50 - 59 | 10th - 12th grade | Fairly Difficult | Business writing |
| 30 - 49 | College | Difficult | Academic papers |
| 0 - 29 | College graduate | Very Difficult | Legal / medical docs |
The Flesch Reading Ease formula rates text on a 0-100 scale. Higher scores mean easier text. It considers average sentence length and average syllables per word. Most web content should aim for 60-70.
For general web content, aim for a 7th-8th grade level (Flesch score 60-70). This makes your writing accessible to the broadest audience. Academic and technical writing naturally scores lower.
Use shorter sentences (under 20 words on average). Choose simple words over complex ones. Break up long paragraphs. Use active voice instead of passive. Avoid jargon when possible.
Sentences over 25 words are harder to follow. Highlighting them helps you identify where to split or simplify. Aim for a mix of short and medium sentences for the best readability.