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Readability Checker

Paste your text to get Flesch-Kincaid, Gunning Fog, SMOG scores, reading time, and detailed writing statistics.

Your Text

Paste text on the left to see readability scores here.

Readability FAQ

Flesch Reading Ease scores from 0–100. Higher = easier. 60–70 is the target for general web content. Newspapers aim for 60–70, popular novels 70–80, technical manuals 0–30. The formula: 206.835 − 1.015 × (words/sentences) − 84.6 × (syllables/words).

Aim for a Gunning Fog index of 8–10 for web content, news, or blogs. Time magazine aims for 11. Academic writing is typically 15–20. The formula: 0.4 × (avg words/sentence + 100 × complex words ÷ total words). "Complex" words have 3+ syllables.

Shorten sentences (aim for 15–20 words average). Use simpler words (use "use" not "utilize"). Break long paragraphs. Use active voice. Avoid jargon. Use subheadings and bullet points to break up content. These changes dramatically improve Flesch, Fog, and SMOG scores.