Readability Score Checker
Paste your text to see its reading ease, grade level and a plain English verdict.
| Reading ease (0 to 100, higher is easier) | - |
|---|---|
| Flesch-Kincaid grade level | - |
| Gunning fog index | - |
| Average words per sentence | - |
| Average syllables per word | - |
| Words | - |
| Sentences | - |
Worked examples
Short, simple sentences
The cat sat on the mat. It was happy.
Reading ease about 108, which reads as very easy.
The score uses average sentence length and syllables per word, so it is an estimate that depends on how the syllables are counted.
Dense, long sentences
A single sentence of many clauses, with long words and no full stop until the end
A lower reading ease score, which suggests the passage is harder to read.
Long sentences and many multi-syllable words pull the score down, so use the result to spot passages to shorten.
About Readability Score Checker
Readability is about how easily a reader can move through your words and understand what you mean. A readability score turns sentence length and word length into a number, so you can compare one piece of writing with another. This readability score checker reads the text you paste and works out a reading ease score, a grade level and a fog index. Each figure uses a long-standing formula that rewards short sentences and familiar words. The results are estimates rather than facts about your audience, but they point clearly to passages that may need tightening before you publish.
Writers use these scores in many settings, from website copy and product descriptions to school materials, leaflets and emails. A plain English verdict sits beside the numbers, so you do not need to remember what each score means. When the reading ease is high, the text should suit most adults. When it is low, look at the longest sentences first, because they usually cause the most trouble. Try the checker before and after an edit to see whether your changes made a real difference to the way the words read.
How to use Readability Score Checker
- Paste or type the text you want to check into the box.
- Read the reading ease score. Higher numbers mean the text is easier to read.
- Check the grade level to see roughly how much schooling a reader would need.
- Look at the average words per sentence and shorten the longest sentences.
- Read the plain English verdict, then edit your text and check it again.
Common uses
- Checking website copy before it goes live
- Making product descriptions easier to scan
- Preparing leaflets, letters and guides for a wide audience
- Reviewing emails and newsletters before you send them
Frequently asked questions
What does the reading ease score mean?
The reading ease score runs from 0 to 100, and higher scores mean the text is easier to read. Scores in the 60s are plain English that most adults can follow, while scores below 30 suggest dense writing that suits specialist readers best. The score is calculated from the average sentence length and the number of syllables in each word, so it responds directly to the choices you make as a writer.
What is the Flesch-Kincaid grade level?
The grade level is an estimate of the years of school education a reader would usually need to understand the text on a first reading. A grade of 8 suggests writing that a typical teenager could follow comfortably. It is only an estimate, but it makes it easy to compare two versions of the same piece and see which one is clearer for your audience.
What is the Gunning fog index?
The fog index is another estimate of reading difficulty. It combines the average sentence length with the share of longer words that have three or more syllables. Many people find it useful for business reports and manuals, where some long words are unavoidable. A lower number is easier to read, and a result above 12 often means the text could be simplified without losing meaning.
How accurate are these scores?
The scores are estimates. The formulas cannot understand meaning, tone or what a reader already knows about your subject. They work best on ordinary prose of several sentences or more. Use the scores to find passages that may need attention, then read your text aloud to check that it flows naturally and says exactly what you intend.
Will the checker work with headings and lists?
Each line break ends a sentence, so headings and short list items are counted as separate sentences. This keeps the figures close to what a reader sees on the page. Very short items can pull the average sentence length down, so treat the numbers as a guide and look at the longer passages in your text for the best clues about what to change.