Check Readability

Readability measures how easily readers understand your content. Our free readability checker analyzes text using proven formulas (Flesch Reading Ease, grade level) to help you create content that engages your audience and achieves your communication goals.

Why Readability Matters

Improve User Engagement

Readable content keeps visitors on your site longer. When text is easy to understand, readers engage more, share more, and convert more. Poor readability causes visitors to leave without reading.

Better SEO Performance

Search engines favor content that serves users well. Readable content generates longer dwell times, lower bounce rates, and more backlinks—all positive SEO signals that improve rankings.

Wider Audience Reach

Simple, clear writing reaches more people. Not everyone has advanced vocabulary or native language skills. Readable content ensures your message reaches the broadest possible audience.

Professional Communication

Good writing is clear writing. Readable content demonstrates professionalism and respect for readers’ time. Complex jargon and convoluted sentences frustrate readers and damage credibility.

Understanding Readability Scores

Flesch Reading Ease (0-100)

90-100: Very Easy (5th grade level) – Simple, conversational

80-89: Easy (6th grade) – Plain English, easy to read

70-79: Fairly Easy (7th grade) – Conversational for most adults

60-69: Standard (8-9th grade) – Plain English, acceptable for most content

50-59: Fairly Difficult (10-12th grade) – Fairly difficult

30-49: Difficult (College level) – Difficult, requires college education

0-29: Very Difficult (College graduate) – Very difficult, professional level

Grade Level

Grade level indicates the U.S. school grade needed to understand your text. Lower grade levels mean wider accessibility. Most web content should target 7th-9th grade level.

Target Readability by Content Type

Blog Posts: 60-70 (8th-9th grade) – Conversational and accessible

Marketing Content: 60-80 (6th-9th grade) – Easy for quick comprehension

News Articles: 50-60 (10th-12th grade) – Standard journalism level

Technical Documentation: 40-60 (College) – More complex when necessary

Academic Writing: 30-50 (Graduate) – Complex ideas require sophistication

How to Improve Readability

Use Shorter Sentences

Long sentences confuse readers. Aim for 15-20 words per sentence average. Break long sentences into two or more shorter ones. Each sentence should contain one main idea.

Choose Simple Words

Use common words over complex alternatives. Say “use” instead of “utilize,” “help” instead of “facilitate,” “start” instead of “commence.” Simple words communicate more effectively.

Active Voice

Active voice is clearer and stronger than passive voice. “The dog chased the cat” (active) is clearer than “The cat was chased by the dog” (passive). Active voice makes writing more engaging.

Break Up Text

Use short paragraphs (3-4 sentences), bullet points, headings, and white space. Large text blocks intimidate readers. Breaking text into digestible chunks improves comprehension and retention.

Remove Unnecessary Words

Edit ruthlessly. Remove filler words, redundancies, and unnecessary modifiers. “Very unique” becomes “unique.” “In order to” becomes “to.” Concise writing is clearer writing.

Common Readability Mistakes

Industry Jargon

Jargon excludes readers unfamiliar with specialized terms. While necessary in technical contexts, avoid jargon when communicating with general audiences. Define technical terms when used.

Run-On Sentences

Sentences exceeding 25-30 words become difficult to follow. Readers lose track of the main point. Break long sentences into shorter ones for clarity.

Passive Voice Overuse

Passive voice obscures who does what and adds unnecessary words. Use active voice for direct, engaging communication except when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

Complex Vocabulary

Using sophisticated vocabulary doesn’t demonstrate intelligence—it demonstrates poor communication. Choose words your audience understands readily.

Dense Paragraphs

Paragraphs exceeding 5-6 sentences overwhelm readers. Break long paragraphs into smaller units, each covering one main idea with supporting details.

Readability for Different Audiences

General Public

Target 7th-8th grade level (60-70 Flesch score). Most adults read comfortably at this level. This ensures maximum accessibility without seeming condescending.

Business Professionals

Target 8th-10th grade level (50-60 Flesch score). Business readers appreciate clarity and efficiency. Avoid unnecessary complexity while maintaining professional tone.

Technical Audiences

Target 10th-12th grade level (40-50 Flesch score). Technical accuracy may require complex terms, but sentence structure should remain clear and logical.

Academic Readers

Target college level (30-50 Flesch score). Academic writing allows complexity when addressing sophisticated ideas, but clarity remains important even for educated readers.

Improving Specific Content Types

Blog Posts

Use conversational tone, short paragraphs, subheadings every 300 words, and bullet points. Aim for 60-70 Flesch score for maximum engagement and shareability.

Product Descriptions

Clear, benefit-focused descriptions convert better. Use simple language (70+ Flesch score), short sentences, and bullet points for features. Avoid marketing jargon.

Email Marketing

Emails need extremely high readability (70-80 Flesch score). Recipients scan quickly. Use short sentences, clear calls-to-action, and simple vocabulary for maximum response rates.

Landing Pages

Landing pages should be scannable and compelling. Use 60-70 Flesch score, clear headings, bullet points, and concise paragraphs that communicate value quickly.

Pro Tips for Readability Improvement Success

• Target 60-70 Flesch score for web content – This 8th-9th grade level ensures accessibility for most readers while maintaining professional standards.
• Use subheadings every 300 words – Frequent headings break text into scannable sections that improve comprehension and retention.
• Write conversationally, not academically – Web readers prefer conversational tone. Write like you’re explaining to a friend, not writing a thesis.
• Remove unnecessary words ruthlessly – Edit out filler: “very unique” → “unique,” “in order to” → “to.” Concise writing is clearer writing.
• Use active voice for 80%+ of sentences – Active voice creates stronger, clearer writing than passive voice.
• Test readability at draft stage – Check scores before publishing, not after. This allows improving readability during editing rather than rewriting published content.
• Read content aloud – If you stumble reading aloud, readers will stumble reading silently. Awkward phrasing stands out when spoken.
• Match readability to audience expectations – Business professionals accept different complexity than general consumers. Know your audience.

Common Readability Myths Debunked

Myth: Simple writing seems unprofessional or dumbed down

Fact: Clear, simple writing demonstrates respect for readers’ time and professional communication skills. Complexity doesn’t equal sophistication—clarity does.

Myth: Readability scores are the only metric that matters

Fact: Scores are guides, not absolutes. Technical accuracy, completeness, and value matter more than hitting specific scores. Use readability as one factor in content quality assessment.

Myth: You should dumb down all content for low grade levels

Fact: Match complexity to audience and purpose. Technical documentation for experts can be complex. Marketing for general audiences should be simple. Context matters.

Myth: Longer sentences show better writing skills

Fact: Short, clear sentences demonstrate superior writing skills. Long, complex sentences often indicate unclear thinking or showing off vocabulary rather than communicating effectively.

Myth: Readability improvements hurt SEO through shorter content

Fact: Readable content improves SEO through better user signals (longer dwell time, lower bounce rates). Clarity enhances engagement, which helps rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a good readability score?

For web content, aim for 60-70 (8th-9th grade level). This ensures accessibility for most readers while maintaining professional standards.

Do search engines use readability as a ranking factor?

Not directly, but readable content generates positive user signals (longer visits, lower bounce rates) that do affect rankings. Readability improves SEO indirectly.

Should all content be simple?

No, match readability to audience and purpose. Technical documentation for experts can be more complex than marketing content for general audiences.

How do I improve my readability score?

Use shorter sentences (15-20 words), simpler words, active voice, and break text into smaller paragraphs. Remove unnecessary words and jargon.

Is lower grade level always better?

Generally yes for accessibility, but extremely simple writing can seem condescending to educated audiences. Match complexity to audience expectations.

Conclusion

Readability directly impacts engagement, comprehension, and conversion. Our free readability checker helps you analyze and improve content, ensuring your message reaches and resonates with your target audience effectively.

Check your content’s readability before publishing. Aim for scores that match your audience’s reading level and your communication goals. Clear, readable writing benefits everyone.

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