Reading Level Calculator
Paste any text to calculate its Flesch-Kincaid grade level and reading ease score.
Find out what grade level your writing targets.
Reading Level
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level estimates the US school grade level needed to understand the text:
Grade Level = 0.39 × (words/sentences) + 11.8 × (syllables/words) − 15.59
Flesch Reading Ease scores text from 0 (very difficult) to 100 (very easy):
Reading Ease = 206.835 − 1.015 × (words/sentences) − 84.6 × (syllables/words)
Reading Ease Score interpretation:
| Score | Difficulty | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | Very Easy | 5th grade |
| 80–89 | Easy | 6th grade |
| 70–79 | Fairly Easy | 7th grade |
| 60–69 | Standard | 8th–9th grade |
| 50–59 | Fairly Difficult | 10th–12th grade |
| 30–49 | Difficult | College level |
| 0–29 | Very Difficult | Graduate level |
Target reading levels:
- General public / blog posts: 6th–8th grade
- Newspapers: 7th–9th grade
- Business writing: 8th–10th grade
- Academic papers: 12th grade+
- Legal documents: College level+
Tips for simpler writing:
- Use shorter sentences (15–20 words average)
- Choose common words over complex synonyms
- Break up long paragraphs
- Use active voice