Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?
Flesch Reading Ease scores range from 0–100. 60–70 is ideal for most web content — it's understood by 13–15 year olds and is comfortable for the average adult. Higher scores are easier; lower scores are harder. Academic papers often score 30–50.
What does Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level mean?
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level corresponds to a US school grade. A score of 8 means an 8th grader can understand the text. Most popular novels score around 6–8. News articles typically target grade 8–10.
What is the Gunning Fog Index?
The Gunning Fog Index estimates the years of formal education needed to understand the text on first reading. A score of 12 corresponds to a US high school senior. Most business writing should aim for 10–12.
How do I improve my readability score?
Use shorter sentences (aim for 15–20 words average), choose simpler words over complex ones, break long paragraphs into shorter ones, and use active voice. The suggestions panel above gives specific advice based on your text.