Readability Checker: Flesch-Kincaid Calculator + Reading Level Analyzer
Paste text to check readability, grade level, Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, SMOG, Coleman-Liau, ARI, sentence length, and plain English signals.
Best for blog posts, landing pages, help docs, newsletters, and broad public content.
Runs in your browser. Your pasted text is not submitted to EyeSift servers.
What is a readability checker?
A readability checker estimates how easy your text is to read by measuring sentence length, word length, syllables, complex words, and grade-level formulas. EyeSift combines several formulas because one score can be noisy; the consensus grade gives a steadier answer for writers, students, editors, marketers, and documentation teams.
Flesch Reading Ease Scale
| Score | Difficulty | Typical audience |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | Very easy | Simple instructions, short emails |
| 80-89 | Easy | Consumer help content |
| 70-79 | Fairly easy | Plain English and public content |
| 60-69 | Standard | Most general web and business writing |
| 50-59 | Fairly difficult | Professional or specialized content |
| 30-49 | Difficult | Academic, technical, or legal readers |
| 0-29 | Very difficult | Dense specialist material |
Target Reading Levels by Use Case
General web readers
Aim for grade 9 or lower and Flesch 60+.
Best for blog posts, landing pages, help docs, newsletters, and broad public content.
Middle school / plain English
Aim for grade 7 or lower and Flesch 70+.
Best for simple instructions, public notices, and content for readers in a hurry.
Business / professional
Aim for grade 11 or lower and Flesch 50+.
Best for reports, proposals, product docs, and professional communication.
Technical / academic
Aim for grade 14 or lower and Flesch 35+.
Higher grade levels may be acceptable when the audience already knows the topic.
Source Check
This page follows public plain-language and accessibility guidance: write for a specific audience, put important information first, use familiar words, prefer active voice, and test whether readers understand the content. See the Digital.gov plain language guide, the CDC Clear Communication Index, and Harvard accessibility guidance on plain language.
Readability Workflows by Writing Goal
SEO article readability
Grade 6-9, clear headings, short paragraphs
Use the readability score with keyword density so search traffic can skim the answer without losing topical coverage.
Check keyword densityStudent essay editing
Match the assignment instead of forcing the lowest grade level
Use sentence and grammar checks after readability so formal writing stays clear without becoming oversimplified.
Run grammar checkHelp docs and support content
Plain English, direct verbs, steps in order
Shorten instructions first, then use word count and sentence count to keep each article easy to scan.
Count words and sentencesAI-edited or rewritten text
Clear prose without unusually flat sentence rhythm
If a rewrite becomes too smooth or generic, run the AI detector after readability to review authorship-risk signals.
Check AI-writing riskHow to Improve Readability
- Shorten sentences before changing vocabulary; sentence length affects every major formula.
- Replace abstract 3+ syllable words with familiar alternatives when precision is not lost.
- Put the main point first so readers do not need to hold context across a long paragraph.
- Use headings, bullets, and short paragraphs to reduce cognitive load.
- Use active voice when the actor matters: "The editor approved it" is clearer than "It was approved."
- Do not chase a perfect score for technical or academic readers; match the audience instead.
Related Tools
Readability Checker FAQ
What is a good readability score?
For broad web content, aim for Flesch Reading Ease around 60 or higher and a consensus grade near 6-9. Technical, academic, and legal writing can be higher if the audience expects specialized language.
Is Flesch-Kincaid the same as reading level?
Flesch-Kincaid Grade is one reading-level estimate expressed as a US school grade. EyeSift also shows Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, SMOG, ARI, and a consensus grade so one formula does not dominate the result.
Can this check a Lexile score?
No. Lexile is a separate proprietary framework. This tool checks readability formulas and reading-level estimates, which are useful for editing but are not official Lexile measures.
Is my text stored?
No. The readability calculations run in your browser. EyeSift does not need to upload or store your pasted text for this tool to work.