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What is a readability score?
A readability score tells you how easy or difficult a piece of text is to read and understand. The most widely used formula is the Flesch Reading Ease score, developed by Rudolf Flesch in 1948. It produces a number between 0 and 100 — higher scores mean easier reading.
The formula considers two things: average sentence length and average number of syllables per word. Short sentences with simple words score highest. Dense academic prose scores lowest.
Flesch Reading Ease score guide
Scores of 70–80 are considered easy reading, suitable for most general audiences. Scores of 60–70 correspond to standard English. Scores below 30 are very difficult — typical of academic journals and legal documents. Most popular websites and blog posts aim for 60–70.
What is the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level converts readability into a US school grade equivalent. A score of 8 means a typical 8th-grader (aged 13–14) could understand the text. Most content writers aim for grade 6–8 for general audiences. Microsoft Word uses this metric in its built-in readability statistics.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is estimated at 238 words per minute, which reflects the median adult silent reading speed according to research published in Reading and Writing journal. Fast readers average around 300 WPM; slower or less familiar material may take longer.
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Frequently asked questions
What readability score should I aim for?
It depends on your audience. General blog posts and marketing copy: aim for 60–70. News articles and business emails: 65–75. Children's content: 80–90. Academic or technical writing may legitimately score lower — the goal is matching your audience's reading level, not maximising the score.
How do I improve my readability score?
The two most effective changes are shortening sentences and replacing long words with shorter alternatives. Aim for an average sentence length under 20 words. Split any sentence over 30 words. Replace "utilise" with "use", "demonstrate" with "show", "approximately" with "about".
Does readability affect SEO?
Indirectly, yes. Google measures engagement signals like time on page and bounce rate. Easier-to-read content tends to hold attention longer, which can improve rankings. Some SEO tools like Yoast SEO include readability scoring for this reason.
Is this tool free to use?
Yes, completely free with no account required. All analysis happens instantly in your browser — your text is never sent to a server or stored anywhere.
How accurate is the syllable count?
The syllable counting algorithm uses a heuristic approach that handles the vast majority of common English words correctly. It may occasionally miscount unusual proper nouns, technical terms, or words with silent syllables. For practical purposes, the resulting readability scores are accurate within normal variation.