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Readability Checker

Paste your text to instantly measure reading difficulty with five standard readability formulas. Ensure your content is accessible to your target audience.

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Paste text above and click "Analyze Readability" to check reading level and complexity scores.
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How to Use Readability Checker

  1. 1

    Paste your text

    Copy the text you want to analyze and paste it into the input area. You can also type directly or load the sample text.

  2. 2

    Click Analyze

    Press the Analyze Readability button to compute all readability metrics using standard formulas.

  3. 3

    Review the scores

    See your Flesch Reading Ease score, grade levels from multiple formulas, and recommendations for improving readability for your target audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a scale of 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate easier reading. A score of 60-70 is considered standard, suitable for most adults. Scores above 80 are easy to read, while scores below 30 are very difficult, typically academic or legal writing. The formula uses average sentence length and average syllables per word.

For content aimed at the general public, target a grade level of 8 or below. This ensures your content is accessible to approximately 85% of the adult population. Government communications, healthcare materials, and consumer-facing content should all aim for this level. The average American reads at roughly a 7th-8th grade level.

The Gunning Fog Index estimates years of formal education needed to understand text on first reading. It focuses specifically on complex words (three or more syllables). Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level uses syllable count more broadly. Both provide useful perspectives, and using multiple metrics gives a more reliable assessment of readability.

No. All readability analysis happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device, making it safe to analyze confidential documents, draft content, and sensitive communications.

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Why Readability Matters for Accessibility

Readability is a critical but often overlooked aspect of web accessibility. WCAG 2.2 addresses readability under Success Criterion 3.1.5 (Reading Level), which states that when text requires a reading ability more advanced than lower secondary education level (approximately grade 9), a supplemental version should be available. While this is a Level AAA criterion, making your content readable at a lower grade level benefits all users including those with cognitive disabilities, non-native speakers, and people accessing content under stressful or distracting conditions.

Understanding Readability Formulas

This tool implements five established readability formulas, each approaching the measurement from slightly different angles. The Flesch Reading Ease score provides an intuitive 0-100 scale where higher is easier. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level converts the same inputs into a US school grade level. The Gunning Fog Index estimates years of formal education needed, with special emphasis on complex words. The SMOG Grade (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook) focuses on polysyllabic words and is particularly reliable for health-related content. The Automated Readability Index uses character counts rather than syllable counts, making it faster to compute and useful as a cross-reference.

Tips for Improving Readability

Use shorter sentences. The average sentence length should be 15-20 words for general audiences. Break complex ideas into multiple sentences rather than using long compound structures. Choose simpler words when possible. Replace multisyllabic words with shorter alternatives: use "help" instead of "facilitate," "use" instead of "utilize," and "end" instead of "terminate." Use the active voice. Active constructions are typically shorter and clearer than passive ones. Write "the team completed the project" rather than "the project was completed by the team."

Structure your content with clear headings, short paragraphs, and bullet points. Front-load important information at the beginning of sections. Avoid jargon and acronyms unless you define them on first use. These practices not only improve readability scores but also make your content more scannable and usable for all visitors, including those using assistive technology.

Readability and Legal Compliance

Several regulations and standards reference readability requirements. The Plain Writing Act requires US government agencies to write clearly. Healthcare organizations must ensure patient-facing materials are understandable, with many guidelines recommending a 6th grade reading level for health information. Financial regulations increasingly require clear, understandable language in consumer disclosures. Meeting readability standards is both a legal consideration and a best practice for inclusive communication.