Check Your Text Readability
What Is a Readability Score?
A readability score estimates how difficult a passage of text is to understand. It combines two simple ideas: longer sentences are harder to follow, and longer words are harder to decode. The output is a US school grade level - a score of 8 means an 8th grader can read your text comfortably.
The 6 Readability Formulas
Score 0-100. Higher = easier. 60-70 is standard for web content.
US grade level. Most web content should target Grade 8-10.
Years of education needed. Penalizes complex words and long sentences.
Healthcare standard. Uses complex word density. Best for accuracy.
Uses characters per word instead of syllables. Good for digital content.
Uses characters per word. Designed for technical documentation.
Target Audience Guide
- Grade 5-6: General public, social media
- Grade 7-9: Web content, blogs, marketing
- Grade 10-12: Academic, technical writing
- College+: Research papers, legal documents
Why Use This Over AI?
AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) cannot compute exact readability scores. They approximate based on pattern matching, often off by 2-3 grade levels. This tool uses the same deterministic formulas used by professional writers, editors, and publishers worldwide - every calculation is precise and reproducible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best readability formula?
There is no single "best" formula - each has strengths. Flesch-Kincaid is most common for web content. SMOG is most accurate for healthcare. The consensus average across all 6 formulas is most reliable.
What grade level should web content target?
Aim for Grade 8-9 (Flesch Reading Ease 60-70) for general web audiences. This matches the average American reading level.
Is my text sent to a server?
No. All analysis runs entirely in your browser. Your text never leaves your device. 100% private.
How many words do I need?
At least 30 words and 3 sentences for meaningful results. 100+ words is recommended for accurate scores.
Can I use this for SEO?
Yes. Search engines favor content that matches the reading level of the target audience. Most web content should score between Grade 8-10.
What makes a sentence "hard to read"?
Sentences with more than 25 words, complex words (3+ syllables), or both are flagged as hard. Long sentences create cognitive load for readers.
Related Tools
- Word Counter - Count words and characters
- Grammar Checker - Check grammar and style
- Paraphrasing Tool - Rewrite text
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