The formula
Flesch Reading Ease = 206.835 − (1.015 × average sentence length) − (84.6 × average syllables per word). Shorter sentences and shorter words push the score up.
Textorum.io · Flesch reading ease
Flesch Reading Ease
Flesch Reading Ease is the most widely used readability formula. It scores any English text from 0 (very hard) to 100 (very easy) using sentence and word length.
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Flesch reading ease
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36
Words
217
Characters
3
Sentences
1
Paragraphs
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Counts and readability scores match what professional editors actually use.
The Flesch Reading Ease formula and scale
The scale
90–100 very easy (5th grade), 80–90 easy, 70–80 fairly easy, 60–70 plain English (8th–9th grade), 50–60 fairly difficult, 30–50 difficult, 0–30 very difficult (university graduate).
What target should you aim for?
Most popular blogs target 60–70. Healthcare and government communications often require 70+. Technical or academic writing may legitimately score 30–50.
How to raise your Flesch score
Split long sentences, choose words with fewer syllables, replace jargon, and prefer active voice. Each edit gives the formula fewer reasons to penalize you.
Dig deeper with related Textorum.io tools: Check readability online & Calculate the Flesch score.
Why use Flesch Reading Ease?
The exact formula
See the original Rudolf Flesch equation and the inputs it depends on.
0–100 calibrated scale
A continuous scale that maps cleanly onto reading effort.
Source-verified
Definitions check out against the 1948 paper and modern implementations.
Industry standard since 1948
The most cited readability metric in publishing, education and government.
Common uses of the Flesch score
- Editing blog posts and articles
- Plain-language and accessibility audits
- Government and legal communications
- Marketing copy and landing pages
- Quality-checking AI-generated drafts
- Curriculum and education planning
How to calculate the Flesch Reading Ease
- 01
Enter your text
Paste any English passage to get a Flesch Reading Ease score.
- 02
Inspect the raw inputs
Check average sentence length and syllables per word — the only two variables.
- 03
Compare to the official scale
Locate your score on the 0–100 band: very easy through very difficult.
- 04
Adjust to hit your target
Shorten sentences and pick simpler words until the score lands where you want.
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Flesch Reading Ease FAQ
Who invented the Flesch Reading Ease score?
Rudolf Flesch developed the formula in 1948. It is the most widely used readability metric in English-language publishing.
What is the difference between Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch–Kincaid?
Flesch Reading Ease returns a 0–100 score. Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level converts the same inputs into a US school grade. They use closely related formulas.
Does Flesch work in other languages?
The formula was designed for English. Other languages need adapted versions — for example, the Fernández Huerta formula for Spanish.
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