Readability Calculator

Check text readability with Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, and ARI scores. Instantly analyze word count, sentence complexity, and reading time.

Word Count
—
Sentence Count —
Flesch Reading Ease (0–100) —
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level —
Extended More scenarios, charts & detailed breakdown ▾
Flesch Reading Ease
—
FK Grade Level —
Words —
Sentences —
Reading Level —
Professional Full parameters & maximum detail ▾

Word Statistics

Word Count —
Sentence Count —
Avg Words per Sentence —
Avg Syllables per Word —
Complex Words (3+ syllables) —

Time Estimates

Reading Time (min) —
Speaking Time (min) —

Vocabulary & Readability

Unique Words —
Vocabulary Diversity (%) —
Flesch Reading Ease —

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Paste or type your text into the Text to Analyze field.
  2. See word count, sentence count, Flesch Reading Ease, and grade level instantly.
  3. Use Multiple Metrics tab for Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, SMOG, and ARI all at once.
  4. Use Audience Match to check if your text suits your target audience.
  5. Use the Professional tab for deep analysis: reading time, vocabulary diversity, complex word count.

Formula

Flesch Reading Ease = 206.835 − 1.015×(words/sentences) − 84.6×(syllables/words)

FK Grade Level = 0.39×(words/sentences) + 11.8×(syllables/words) − 15.59

Example

Text: "The cat sat on the mat." → 6 words, 1 sentence, 6 syllables → Flesch = 206.835 − 1.015×6 − 84.6×1 = 116 (capped at 100) → Grade Level ≈ 0 (Very Easy).

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Flesch Reading Ease scores text from 0-100. Higher scores mean easier text: 90-100 = Very Easy (5th grade), 60-70 = Standard (8-9th grade), below 30 = Very Confusing (college graduate). Most general content targets 60-70.
  • FK Grade Level translates reading difficulty into US school grades. Grade 8 means an 8th grader can understand the text. Most online content targets grade 6-8. Academic papers often score 12-16.
  • Gunning Fog measures how many years of formal education are needed to understand the text on first reading. An index of 12 means a high school senior can understand it. Target below 12 for general audiences.
  • Average silent reading speed is approximately 200-250 words per minute (wpm) for adults. Speaking speed is around 130-150 wpm. Divide word count by reading speed to get time in minutes.
  • Vocabulary diversity (type-token ratio) = unique words ÷ total words. A score of 100% means every word is unique (very short text). Longer texts typically score 40-60%. Higher diversity indicates richer, more varied writing.

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