Question 1

What is the Flesch Reading Ease score?

Accepted Answer

The Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) is the most widely-used readability formula. It scores text on a 0-100 scale:
      
        90-100: Very Easy - 5th grade level
        80-89: Easy - 6th grade level
        70-79: Fairly Easy - 7th grade level
        60-69: Standard - 8th-9th grade level
        50-59: Fairly Difficult - 10th-12th grade level
        30-49: Difficult - College level
        0-29: Very Difficult - College graduate level
      
      Formula: 206.835 - (1.015 × words/sentence) - (84.6 × syllables/word)
      For web content: Aim for 60-70 (8th-9th grade) for general audiences.

Question 2

Why does readability matter for accessibility?

Accepted Answer

Reading level significantly impacts accessibility for users with:
      
        Cognitive disabilities: Complex language creates barriers to comprehension
        Learning disabilities: Simpler text improves understanding
        Non-native speakers: Clear language aids translation and comprehension
        Low literacy: Easier text reaches broader audience
        Older adults: Cognitive decline makes complex text harder to process
      
      WCAG 3.1.5 (Level AAA) recommends providing simplified versions when text requires reading ability beyond lower secondary education (roughly 9th grade in the US).

Question 3

What's a good target reading level for my content?

Accepted Answer

Target reading level depends on your audience:
      
        General public website: 8th grade (60-70 FRE)
        Healthcare information: 6th-8th grade (70-80 FRE)
        Government documents: 6th-8th grade (plain language requirement)
        Legal/consumer contracts: 6th-8th grade (Plain Writing Act)
        Children's content: 3rd-6th grade (80-100 FRE)
        Technical documentation: 10th-12th grade acceptable
        Academic papers: College level acceptable
        News articles: 8th-10th grade
      
      General rule: Lower reading level = more accessible to more people.

Question 4

How can I improve my readability score?

Accepted Answer

To make text easier to read:
      
        Shorten sentences: Break long sentences (20+ words) into shorter ones (15-20 words)
        Use simple words: Replace complex words with simpler alternatives
          
            "use" instead of "utilize"
            "help" instead of "facilitate"
            "buy" instead of "purchase"

Active voice: "We fixed the bug" vs "The bug was fixed by us"
        Concrete language: Use specific examples and avoid abstractions
        One idea per sentence: Don't pack multiple concepts
        Break up paragraphs: Keep paragraphs to 3-4 sentences
        Use transitions: Help readers follow your logic
        Lists and bullets: Break up dense text

Question 5

Which readability formula should I use?

Accepted Answer

Different formulas work better for different content:
      
        Flesch Reading Ease: Most versatile, good for general content
        Flesch-Kincaid Grade: Widely used, correlates to US grade levels
        Gunning Fog: Emphasizes complex words, good for business writing
        SMOG Index: More accurate for healthcare materials
        Coleman-Liau: Based on characters, not syllables
        Automated Readability Index: Uses character count, good for technical text
      
      Best practice: Use multiple formulas and look for consensus. If all scores are similar, you have a reliable assessment.
      Limitations: All formulas are estimates. They don't account for content organization, vocabulary familiarity, or reader background knowledge.

Question 6

Is simpler always better?

Accepted Answer

Not always - it depends on context:
      When simpler IS better:
      
        Instructions and how-to content
        Consumer-facing websites and apps
        Healthcare information for patients
        Government forms and public information
        Error messages and help text
        Content for international audiences
      
      When complexity is acceptable:
      
        Academic papers for researchers
        Technical documentation for developers
        Legal documents where precision is critical
        Specialized professional content
      
      Key principle: Match complexity to audience expertise and provide simpler alternatives when possible (WCAG 3.1.5).

Reading Level Analyzer – Check Text Readability

Reading Level Analyzer

Reading Ease Scale

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Examples of Real-World Usage

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Complete Readability Analysis Features

6 Readability Formulas

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How to Use the Reading Level Analyzer

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Reading Level Analyzer

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