Readability Score Calculator — Flesch Reading Ease & Grade Level
Text & Actions
0 words · 0 sentences · 0 syllables
Tip: Press Ctrl/Cmd + K to focus the text box. Ctrl/Cmd + Enter re-analyzes.
Results
Flesch Reading Ease:
Flesch–Kincaid Grade:
Automated Readability Index (ARI):
Gunning Fog Index:
SMOG Index:
Coleman–Liau Index:
Word Count:
Sentence Count:
Syllable Count:
Avg Words / Sentence:
Avg Syllables / Word:
Understanding Readability Scores
Readability scores are metrics designed to estimate the comprehensibility of a text. They typically consider factors like sentence length, word length, and the complexity of words (often based on syllable count).
Why are Readability Scores Important?
- Audience Engagement: Helps ensure your content is accessible and engaging for your target audience.
- SEO: Readability can indirectly influence SEO by improving user experience (longer dwell times, lower bounce rates).
- Clarity: Encourages clear, concise writing.
- Compliance: Certain industries or government documents may have specific readability requirements.
| Formula | Description | Score Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Flesch Reading Ease | 100-point scale: higher is easier. |
90–100: Very easy (≈5th grade) 60–70: Plain English (≈8th–9th) 30–50: Difficult (college) 0–30: Very difficult (graduate) |
| Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level | U.S. grade-level equivalent. | Higher grades are harder; aim ≈8–10 for general web content. |
| Automated Readability Index (ARI) | Grade estimate emphasizing characters/word. | Similar to FK Grade Level. |
| Gunning Fog Index | Years of education needed; focuses on ≥3-syllable words. | Around 12 is high-school senior; aim <12. |
| SMOG Index | Years of education; most accurate with ≥30 sentences. | 10 ≈ 10 years of schooling. |
| Coleman–Liau Index | Grade based on characters/word and sentences/100 words. | Similar to FK Grade Level. |
How This Tool Works
This Readability Score Calculator operates entirely client-side within your browser. No text data is sent to a server, ensuring your privacy. It analyzes your input by:
- Counting words, sentences, and syllables.
- Applying various mathematical formulas (Flesch-Kincaid, ARI, Gunning Fog, SMOG, Coleman-Liau) to these counts to generate the scores.
- Providing detailed metrics to help you understand your text's complexity.