What is Flesch Reading Ease?

The Flesch Reading Ease score (0-100) measures how easy text is to read. Higher scores mean easier text. Scores of 60-70 are standard for adult readers. The formula: 206.835 - (1.015 × words/sentences) - (84.6 × syllables/words).

What readability score should my content have?

For general web content: aim for Flesch score 60-70 and grade level 8-9. For blog posts: 70-80 (grade 7). For medical patient information: 60-70 (8th grade). Higher scores help with Google AI overviews and featured snippets.

How can I improve my readability score?

Shorten sentences to 15-20 words average, use simpler words (use not utilize), break paragraphs to 3-4 sentences, use active voice, and use bullet lists for complex information.

Readability Score Checker — Flesch-Kincaid & More

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Readability Score Checker

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Readability Score Reference Table

Flesch Score	Reading Ease	Grade Level	Audience
90–100	Very Easy	5th grade	Child / Elementary
80–90	Easy	6th grade	Middle School
70–80	Fairly Easy	7th grade	General Consumer
60–70	Standard	8th–9th grade	General Adult
50–60	Fairly Difficult	10th–12th grade	High School
30–50	Difficult	College	College Graduate
0–30	Very Difficult	College+	Professional / Academic

Frequently Asked Questions

The Flesch Reading Ease score (0–100) measures how easy text is to read. Higher scores = easier. The formula is: 206.835 − (1.015 × words/sentences) − (84.6 × syllables/words). Scores of 60–70 are considered standard for adult readers. Most newspapers target 60–70. Plain language guidelines suggest 60–80 for public-facing content. Legal and technical documents often score 30–50.

For general web content: aim for a Flesch score of 60–70 and grade level 8–9. For blog posts targeting a broad audience: 70–80 (grade 7). For medical patient information: 60–70 (8th grade or below) — research shows patients understand information better at this level. For Google's AI overviews and featured snippets: shorter sentences and simpler vocabulary improve your chances of being selected.

1. Shorten sentences — aim for 15–20 words per sentence average. 2. Use simpler words — replace "utilize" with "use", "assistance" with "help". 3. Break up paragraphs — 3–4 sentences max per paragraph. 4. Use active voice — "The team completed the project" not "The project was completed by the team." 5. Use bullet lists for complex information.