Reading Level Analyzer – Check Text Readability

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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).