Free Readability Checker

How to use this the readability checker

1. 1

   Paste your text

   Copy your content and paste it into the text box above. The checker updates scores in real time as you type or edit.

2. 2

   Review your Flesch Reading Ease score

   Check the main score on the 0-100 scale. A score of 60-70 is ideal for web content, making it accessible to roughly 80% of English-speaking adults.

3. 3

   Check all 6 readability formulas

   Review Flesch-Kincaid Grade, Gunning Fog, SMOG Index, Coleman-Liau, and Automated Readability Index. Each formula measures readability from a different angle.

4. 4

   Apply recommendations to improve

   Follow the specific suggestions to shorten sentences, simplify vocabulary, and improve your overall readability score before publishing.

How the readability checker works

Paste your text into the box above. The checker instantly breaks your content into sentences, words, and syllables, then runs six readability formulas against those counts. Each formula weighs different aspects of your writing: sentence length, word length, syllable density, and character count. The results update in real time as you type or edit. All processing happens in your browser. Your text is never sent to a server.

The main score displayed is the Flesch Reading Ease, which runs on a 0-100 scale. Below it, you will see five additional formulas that each express readability as a US grade level. Together, these six scores give you a complete picture of how accessible your writing is to different audiences.

Understanding readability scores

Each formula measures readability from a slightly different angle. Here is what they calculate and what ranges to aim for.

What is a good readability score for SEO

Most top-ranking content scores between 60 and 70 on the Flesch Reading Ease scale. That corresponds to an 8th-9th grade reading level. Research from the Literacy Project Foundation shows that the average American reads at a 7th-8th grade level, which is why content in this range performs well. Content at this level is accessible to roughly 80% of the adult population while still being detailed enough to demonstrate expertise.

Google does not use readability as a direct ranking factor. There is no Flesch score threshold in the algorithm. But readability has a strong indirect effect on rankings. According to the Nielsen Norman Group, web users read only 20-28% of text on a page, which means dense, difficult content gets skimmed or abandoned. Easier content leads to longer time on page, lower bounce rates, and higher share rates. These engagement signals correlate with better rankings in every large-scale SEO study published to date.

Target audience matters more than a universal number. A medical journal article needs a different readability level than a recipe blog. Legal documents and academic papers are expected to score lower. The key question is whether your content matches the reading level of your intended audience. If you are writing for a general audience, aim for 60-70. If you are writing for specialists, a score of 40-50 may be appropriate as long as your audience expects that level of complexity.

How to improve your readability score

Readability formulas measure two things: how long your sentences are and how complex your words are. Improving your score comes down to shortening both.

• Keep sentences under 20 words. Average sentence length is the biggest lever in every readability formula. Break long compound sentences into two shorter ones. Each sentence should express one idea.
• Choose simpler words when possible. Replace "utilize" with "use," "subsequently" with "then," and "demonstrate" with "show." One-syllable words improve every readability metric.
• Use active voice instead of passive. "The team launched the product" is clearer and shorter than "The product was launched by the team." Active voice cuts unnecessary words and makes the subject obvious.
• Break long paragraphs. Walls of text feel harder to read even when the actual readability score is fine. Keep paragraphs to 3-4 sentences. White space gives readers a mental break between ideas.
• Add subheadings every 300 words. Subheadings let readers scan the page and jump to what interests them. They also signal structure to search engines, which helps with featured snippets and passage ranking.
• Read your content aloud. If you stumble over a sentence or run out of breath, it is too long. Reading aloud catches awkward phrasing that readability formulas miss. It is the oldest editing technique and still the most effective.