How it’s calculated

Flesch uses average sentence length and syllables per word. Higher is easier to read.

FK Grade converts that into a U.S. grade‑level estimate.

Good targets

• General web content: Flesch 60–80 (Grade 7–10)
• Technical docs can be lower; consumer help should be higher.

Improve readability

• Shorten sentences; use active voice.
• Swap jargon for familiar words.
• Break up dense paragraphs with lists.

Recommended Targets

• General web articles: Flesch 60–80 (≈ Grade 7–10)
• Product pages & help docs: Flesch 65–85 (≈ Grade 6–9)
• Academic/technical: Flesch 30–60 (Grade 10+), aim for clarity
• Marketing emails: Flesch 70–90 (Grade 5–8)

Quick Ways to Improve Readability

• Shorten sentences (aim for ~15–20 words on average).
• Prefer common words over jargon; explain terms on first use.
• Break up long paragraphs; use lists and sub‑headers.
• Use active voice and concrete subjects.
• Swap complex phrases for simpler equivalents.

Interpreting Scores

• 90–100 (Very easy): Great for broad audiences, UI text.
• 80–90 (Easy): Conversational blogs, newsletters.
• 60–79 (Plain): Most web content sits here.
• 30–59 (Difficult): Expert/technical; verify audience fit.
• 0–29 (Very difficult): Academic/legal; add summaries.

Caveats & Edge Cases

• Abbreviations, code, and lists can affect sentence counts.
• Brand names and proper nouns may skew syllables slightly.
• Clarity also depends on structure, context, and visuals—not just scores.

Very Easy (≈ 95)

“Tap the green button to save. Your file is safe.”

• Short sentences (7–10 words)
• Common words, direct actions
• Great for UI and onboarding

Plain (≈ 70)

“To start, enter your text and click Run. We’ll calculate the score and show how you can improve.”

• Balanced detail and clarity
• Ideal for most web content

Difficult (≈ 40)

“Optimization entails iteratively refining syntactic structures to maximize comprehensibility while preserving semantic fidelity.”

• Abstract nouns, longer sentences
• OK for expert audiences—add a summary

• 90–100 → Grade 5 and below
• 80–89 → Grade 6
• 70–79 → Grade 7–8
• 60–69 → Grade 9–10
• 50–59 → Grade 11–12
• 30–49 → College
• 0–29 → Graduate+

Industry Targets

• Public sector: ≥ 60 where possible
• Healthcare: 60–80 plus plain-language summaries
• Finance/legal: 40–60 + definitions and Q&A
• Developer docs: 45–65 + examples and code

Accessibility Tips

• Use descriptive headings (H2/H3) and lists
• Define acronyms on first use
• Avoid walls of text; keep paragraphs short
• Pair complex content with diagrams or examples

• Average sentence length ~15–20 words
• Prefer concrete verbs over nominalizations (e.g., “decide” not “make a decision”)
• Replace jargon with plain words; include a glossary if needed
• Front‑load key info; keep one idea per sentence

Common Pitfalls

• Overusing passive voice or nested clauses
• Strings of prepositional phrases
• Excess abbreviations without definitions
• Long lists with no grouping or headings

Localization Notes

• Shorter sentences help in translation
• Avoid idioms/cultural references
• Check measurements/currency formats

Do scores guarantee understanding?

No. They’re a proxy. Test with real readers and consider context.

Why does my score vary?

Small changes in sentence boundaries or syllables can shift results—especially on short texts.

What about headings, lists, or code?

They can affect counts. Our tool tries to handle common cases, but manual review helps.