Readability Analyzer

Readability Analyzer - Improve Your Writing with Professional Readability Tests

Our free readability analyzer helps you measure and improve the readability of your content using industry-standard formulas includingFlesch-Kincaid, SMOG index readability, Gunning Fog, ARI, and Coleman-Liau. This comprehensive readability checker calculates grade levels, reading ease scores, and provides detailed statistics to help writers, educators, and content creators create more accessible and effective content.

Why Check Text Readability?

Understanding the readability of your content is crucial for effective communication. Our readability analyzer helps you:

• Reach your target audience by matching reading level to audience capabilities
• Improve content accessibility for broader audiences
• Optimize for SEO - search engines favor readable content
• Enhance user engagement - readable content keeps readers engaged longer
• Meet educational standards for age-appropriate materials

Flesch-Kincaid Readability - The Most Popular Formula

The Flesch-Kincaid formula is one of the most widely used readability tests. Our Flesch-Kincaid calculator provides both:

• Reading Ease Score: Ranges from 0-100, where higher scores indicate easier reading
• Grade Level: Indicates the U.S. school grade level required to understand the text

A score of 60-70 (8th-9th grade level) is considered ideal for general audiences, while scores above 70 are easy to read, and below 60 may be too complex for many readers.

SMOG Index - Measuring Text Complexity

The SMOG Index (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook) is a widely validated readability formula developed by G. Harry McLaughlin, Ph.D. in 1969. The acronym "gobbledygook" humorously refers to language that is nonsensical or hard to understand. Our SMOG index readability calculator estimates the years of education a person needs to understand a piece of writing on first reading.

The SMOG formula is based on McLaughlin's research that polysyllabic words (words with three or more syllables) can predict reading difficulty more accurately than other measures. The formula uses a square root function to account for the nonlinear relationship between word difficulty and reading level, ensuring that as texts contain more polysyllabic words, readability increases at a decreasing rate.

The SMOG Index is one of the most reliable readability measures, showing strong correlations with standardized reading comprehension tests. Research indicates that SMOG scores are accurate within 1.5 grade levels of actual reader comprehension levels. The formula is appropriate for 4th grade to college level readers.

SMOG grade levels are interpreted as follows:

• SMOG Grade 1-6: Elementary school level
• SMOG Grade 7-9: Junior high school level
• SMOG Grade 10-12: High school level
• SMOG Grade 13+: College and graduate level

The SMOG index readability formula is widely used by government agencies, educators, healthcare providers, and publishers to ensure materials are appropriate for their target audiences. Major organizations that use SMOG include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Indian Health Service (IHS), Harvard School of Public Health, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM). The SMOG index is particularly useful for healthcare and educational content where clarity and accessibility are essential.

Gunning Fog Index - Evaluating Writing Complexity

The Gunning Fog Index calculates the years of formal education needed to understand your text. Our Gunning Fog calculator considers:

• Average sentence length: Longer sentences increase complexity
• Complex words: Words with 3+ syllables (excluding proper nouns, familiar jargon, and compound words)

A Fog Index of 12 is ideal for most readers, while scores above 17 are considered very difficult.

SEO Readability - Improve Search Rankings

SEO readability is crucial for content creators and digital marketers. Search engines favor content that is:

• Easy to read: Lower grade levels (8th-9th grade) perform better
• Engaging: Readable content reduces bounce rates
• Accessible: Reaches broader audiences
• User-friendly: Improves user experience signals

Use our readability checker to optimize your blog posts, articles, and web content for both search engines and readers.

Grade Level Calculator - For Educators and Writers

Our grade level calculator is invaluable for educators creating age-appropriate materials and writers targeting specific audiences:

• Teachers: Ensure educational materials match student reading levels
• Content Writers: Target specific demographic groups
• Publishers: Verify content meets grade-level requirements
• Healthcare Professionals: Create accessible patient information

The tool calculates grade levels using five different formulas to provide comprehensive insights into your text's complexity.

Free Readability Checker - Complete Privacy & Accuracy

Our readability analyzer operates entirely in your browser, ensuring:

• 100% privacy: Your content never leaves your device
• No registration: Use instantly without signing up
• Unlimited analysis: Check as many texts as you need
• Accurate calculations: Uses standard readability formulas
• Detailed statistics: Comprehensive text analysis including syllable counts and word complexity