How to use the readability checker
- Paste your text — an essay, blog post, email or product copy.
- Read the Flesch Reading Ease score: higher is easier. 60–70 is plain English most adults read comfortably.
- Use the grade level and tips to simplify anything that's harder than your audience needs.
What the scores mean
Flesch Reading Ease rates text from 0 (very hard) to 100 (very easy) based on sentence length and syllables per word. 90–100 is very easy (5th grade); 60–70 is plain English (8th–9th grade); 30 or below reads like an academic paper. The grade level estimates the US school grade needed to read it. For most web and general writing, aim for a reading ease of 60+ and a grade level around 7–9 — clear writing keeps more readers.
Benefits
- Gives a Flesch Reading Ease score and reading grade level instantly.
- Flags long sentences and heavy vocabulary so you can simplify.
- Helpful for essays, blog posts, emails and marketing copy.
- Runs in your browser; your text is never uploaded.
Limitations to know
- Readability formulas measure sentence and word length, not meaning or accuracy.
- Very short text produces an unreliable score.
- A good score doesn’t guarantee good writing — only that it’s easy to read.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Chasing a high score by chopping every sentence into fragments.
- Ignoring your audience — expert readers can handle denser text.
- Judging a one-line sample instead of a full passage.
Alternatives
For word and character counts use the Word Counter; to check for AI-writing signals use the AI Content Detector.
Last updated: August 2026 · Reviewed by the AI Toolbox editorial team.
Frequently asked questions
Is my text uploaded?
No — everything is calculated in your browser. Nothing is sent to a server.
What score should I aim for?
For general audiences, 60+ reading ease (grade 7–9). Technical writing for experts can be lower.
How do I improve readability?
Shorten sentences, prefer shorter everyday words, and break up long paragraphs.
How is grade level calculated?
From the Flesch–Kincaid grade formula, using average sentence length and syllables per word.