Readability Checker
Check your content readability score and grade level to rank higher on Google.
About Readability Checker
Readability directly impacts SEO. Google favours content that is easy to read and understand. Our free readability checker calculates the Flesch Reading Ease score (0–100), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, average words per sentence, average syllables per word, and estimated reading time. A score above 60 is ideal for general web content. Content that reads at a Grade 8 level or lower tends to rank better in Google search results. No signup required.
Readability Score and SEO: Complete Guide
What Is a Readability Score?
A readability score measures how easy it is for a reader to understand your content. The most widely used formula is the Flesch Reading Ease score, which analyses average sentence length and average syllables per word. Scores range from 0 to 100 — higher scores mean easier to read. A score of 60–70 is considered standard and suitable for most web content.
Flesch Reading Ease Score Explained
- 90–100: Very easy — 5th grade level. Simple vocabulary, short sentences.
- 70–90: Easy — Plain English, ideal for consumer-facing web content.
- 60–70: Standard — Suitable for most blog posts, product pages, and guides.
- 50–60: Fairly difficult — Academic or technical content. May hurt SEO for general audiences.
- 0–30: Very difficult — Professional or legal text. Avoid for content targeting general search traffic.
Does Readability Affect Google Rankings?
Google has not confirmed readability as a direct ranking signal, but it affects three metrics that do influence rankings: dwell time (readers stay longer on easy-to-read content), bounce rate (difficult content drives visitors away quickly), and engagement (well-structured content gets shared and linked). For competitive queries, readability is often the difference between a page that ranks and one that does not.
How to Improve Your Readability Score
- Shorten sentences: Aim for 15–20 words per sentence on average. Break long sentences into two.
- Use simpler words: Replace "utilise" with "use", "facilitate" with "help", "commence" with "start".
- Add subheadings: Break long paragraphs into sections with h2 and h3 headings. Readers scan before they read.
- Use bullet points and lists: Lists are easier to process than dense paragraphs.
- Write in active voice: "Google ranks your page" is easier to read than "Your page is ranked by Google".
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level vs. Reading Ease
The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level converts the reading ease score into a US school grade level. A grade level of 6–8 is ideal for web content targeting a general audience — this corresponds to a Flesch Reading Ease score of roughly 60–70. After checking readability, verify your content is well-optimised with the keyword density checker and check sentence-level stats with the sentence counter.