Check the readability of any text with Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, and SMOG scores, plus reading time and grade level estimates.
How to Use Readability Checker
- 1Paste or type any text into the input area
- 2View multiple readability scores instantly — Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, SMOG
- 3Check the estimated reading time and grade level
- 4See detailed text statistics: word count, sentence count, syllables, and more
- 5Use the insights to simplify your writing for your target audience
Features
- Multiple readability algorithms: Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, Gunning Fog, Coleman-Liau, SMOG, and Automated Readability Index
- Reading time estimation (minutes and seconds)
- Speaking time estimation for presentations
- Detailed text stats: characters, words, sentences, syllables, paragraphs
- Color-coded results — green for good readability, yellow for moderate, red for complex
- All processing in your browser — text never uploaded
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flesch Reading Ease?
Flesch Reading Ease scores text from 0-100. Higher scores mean easier readability. 90-100 = Very Easy (grade 5 level), 60-70 = Standard (grade 8-9), 0-30 = Very Difficult (college graduate).
What is Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?
This score converts readability to U.S. school grade levels. A score of 8 means an 8th grader can understand the text. Most web content should aim for grade 7-9.
What is Gunning Fog Index?
Gunning Fog estimates the years of formal education needed to understand text on first reading. It considers sentence length and complex words (3+ syllables). A score of 12 means college-level reading.
What readability score should I aim for?
For general web content, aim for Flesch Reading Ease of 60-70 (plain English) and Grade Level of 7-9. For technical documentation, grade level 10-12 is acceptable. Blog posts and marketing copy should target grade 6-8.