Readability Scorer

About Readability Scorer Tool

The Readability Scorer analyzes text using multiple industry-standard readability formulas including Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, SMOG Index, Coleman-Liau Index, and Automated Readability Index (ARI). These metrics help writers, editors, educators, and content creators assess whether their text is appropriate for their target audience. The tool provides comprehensive statistics including word count, sentence count, syllable count, and detailed interpretation of each readability score.

What is the Flesch Reading Ease score?

The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text on a 100-point scale. Higher scores indicate easier readability. Scores of 90-100 are very easy (5th grade), 60-70 are standard (8th-9th grade), and 0-30 are very difficult (college graduate level). This is one of the most widely used readability formulas.

What is the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?

The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level translates readability into a U.S. school grade level. For example, a score of 8.0 means an eighth-grader can understand the text. This formula is used by the U.S. Department of Defense and many educational institutions.

What is the SMOG Index?

SMOG (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook) Index estimates the years of education needed to understand a piece of writing. It's particularly accurate for texts with complex or technical content and focuses on polysyllabic words (words with 3+ syllables).

How can I improve my text's readability score?

To improve readability: use shorter sentences, choose simpler words, reduce jargon, break up long paragraphs, use active voice, and vary sentence length. Generally, aim for Flesch Reading Ease scores of 60-70 for general audiences.

Which readability score should I use?

Different scores have different strengths. Use Flesch Reading Ease for general readability, Flesch-Kincaid for grade-level targeting, SMOG for technical content, and Coleman-Liau for character-based analysis. Our tool provides all scores so you can see a complete picture.

What reading level should I target?

For general audiences, aim for 6th-8th grade level (Flesch Reading Ease 60-80). For technical or academic content, 10th-12th grade is acceptable. For marketing and web content, 6th-7th grade ensures maximum accessibility and engagement.

Example Readability Scores