Text Readability Checker
measures grade-level readability scores using Flesch-Kincaid syllabic metrics.
text tool
analyze, calculate, and convert typing metrics.
Estimated Reading Time
0m 0s (at 200 WPM)
Estimated Speech Duration
0m 0s (at 130 WPM)
conversion formula
standard conversion utilizes the international benchmark of 5 characters = 1 word (which includes whitespace offsets).
- CPM = WPM * 5
- WPM = CPM / 5
WPM
20
WPM
40
WPM
60
WPM
80
WPM
100
WPM
120
CPM
100
CPM
200
CPM
300
CPM
400
CPM
500
CPM
600
6.0 Pages
Average 250 words per page
read the presented text passage and answer 3 questions. Tests reading speed and comprehension accuracy.
What year was the typewriter invented?
In 1867, Christopher Latham Sholes invented the QWERTY keyboard layout to prevent key jams in mechanical typewriters. Mechanical typewriters utilized metal bars with character shapes that swung upwards to hit ink ribbons. If a typist typed consecutive characters located close to each other too quickly, the bars clashed and jammed. QWERTY separated frequent letter combinations across the keyboard, decreasing mechanical jamming and shaping modern computer keyboards forever.
identify errors in sentences. click the word/segment containing the grammar or punctuation mistake.
Click the word with the grammatical error:
test your knowledge of advanced English words. choose the correct definition from the options.
What is the correct definition of the word below?
ephemeral
Readability Checker — Measure Your Text's Reading Level
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What Is a Readability Checker?
A readability checker analyzes a piece of text and outputs a score indicating how easy or difficult it is to read. Our tool uses the Flesch Reading Ease formula — the most widely-used and academically validated readability metric — to evaluate your text's average sentence length and average syllables per word. The resulting score maps to a grade level from Very Easy (elementary school) to Very Difficult (university or professional level).
How the Flesch Reading Ease Score Works
The Flesch Reading Ease formula calculates: Score = 206.835 − (1.015 × average words per sentence) − (84.6 × average syllables per word). The score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores mean easier text. Most popular web content and mainstream journalism targets a score between 60–80, which corresponds to an 8th–9th grade reading level and is accessible to the widest possible audience.
Flesch Reading Ease Score Scale
Use this reference to understand what your readability score means for your target audience.
| Score | Difficulty Level | Equivalent Grade | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | Very Easy | 5th Grade | Young children |
| 80 – 90 | Easy | 6th Grade | General consumer audience |
| 70 – 80 | Fairly Easy | 7th Grade | Standard web readers |
| 60 – 70 | Standard | 8th – 9th Grade | Mainstream news, blogs |
| 50 – 60 | Fairly Difficult | High School | Educated adult audience |
| 30 – 50 | Difficult | College Level | Academic readers |
| 0 – 30 | Very Difficult | University / Professional | Expert readers only |
What Readability Score Should You Target?
The target readability score depends entirely on your audience and content type. Blog posts and marketing copy targeting general consumers should aim for 60–75 (8th to 9th grade). Healthcare and legal content that must be understood by the general public is typically required by regulatory bodies to be at a 6th–8th grade level (70–80). Academic journals and technical reports routinely score 20–40. Wikipedia articles average around 50–60.
How to Improve Your Readability Score
The two most impactful changes you can make are shortening your sentences and using simpler words. Replace multi-syllable jargon with common everyday vocabulary where possible. Break long compound sentences into two shorter ones. Use active voice instead of passive voice. Avoid excessive use of adjective strings. Even small changes — like replacing 'utilization' with 'use' — can meaningfully improve your Flesch score and make your writing more engaging.
Related Writing Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score for a blog post?
A score of 60–75 is ideal for most blog posts and web content. This corresponds to an 8th–9th grade reading level and is comfortably readable by the vast majority of English-speaking adults.
What does a readability score of 50 mean?
A score of 50 means your text is 'Fairly Difficult' and best suited to high school-educated readers. Consider breaking up long sentences and replacing complex words to bring the score into the 60–70 range for broader accessibility.
How do I check the reading level of my text?
Paste your text into our free readability checker above. It instantly calculates your Flesch Reading Ease score and maps it to a grade level, telling you exactly how accessible your content is and what changes can improve it.
What readability level should legal documents be written at?
Government guidelines (such as the US Plain Writing Act) recommend that legal documents intended for the public be written at a 6th–8th grade reading level. Traditional legal writing often scores 20–30 (Very Difficult), which significantly limits public comprehension.
Is readability a Google ranking factor?
Readability is not directly a confirmed ranking factor, but it strongly influences indirect signals that Google measures — such as dwell time, bounce rate, and user engagement. Pages that are easy to read typically see lower bounce rates and higher time-on-page, both of which positively correlate with better search rankings.