Readability Score
Analyze text readability with Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Flesch Reading Ease, Gunning Fog Index, SMOG, and Automated Readability Index scores.
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How to Use Readability Score
- 1Paste or type your text into the input field.
- 2View readability scores across 5 standard formulas instantly.
- 3Check the grade level and audience suitability summary.
- 4Adjust your writing to hit the target readability level.
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What is the Flesch Reading Ease score?▾
Developed by Rudolf Flesch in 1948, the Flesch Reading Ease score rates text from 0 to 100. Higher scores = easier to read. 90–100: very easy (5th grade), 60–70: standard (8th–9th grade), 30–50: difficult (college), 0–30: very confusing (professional). Formula: 206.835 − 1.015 × (words/sentences) − 84.6 × (syllables/words). Most consumer content targets 60–70.
What is Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?▾
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level converts the readability formula to a US school grade level. Grade 8 means an average 8th grader can understand the text. Formula: 0.39 × (words/sentences) + 11.8 × (syllables/words) − 15.59. The US Department of Defense requires documents at grade 8 or below. Plain language guidelines typically target grade 6–8 for general audiences.
What is the Gunning Fog Index?▾
The Gunning Fog Index (1952) estimates years of formal education needed to understand text on first reading. It focuses on "complex words" — words with 3+ syllables. Formula: 0.4 × ((words/sentences) + 100 × (complex_words/words)). A score of 12 = high school senior; 17+ = college graduate. Time magazine targets ~11; Harvard Law Review is typically 18+.
What is SMOG?▾
SMOG (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook) was developed in 1969 by G. Harry McLaughlin. It measures the years of education needed to understand text, focusing on polysyllabic words (3+ syllables). It requires at least 30 sentences for accuracy. Formula: 3 + √(polysyllabic_word_count × 30/sentence_count). It is particularly popular for assessing health literacy.
What is ARI (Automated Readability Index)?▾
The Automated Readability Index (ARI) was created in 1967, designed for real-time monitoring as text was typed on typewriters. It uses characters instead of syllables, making it easier to compute: 4.71 × (characters/words) + 0.5 × (words/sentences) − 21.43. Output corresponds to US grade level. It correlates well with Flesch-Kincaid and is used in readability studies requiring fast computation.