Readability checker
ContentScore your text with Flesch Reading Ease and grade level, and find the long or passive sentences that slow readers down. Free, no signup, and it runs entirely in your browser.
Sentences to look at
How to use it
- Paste your text into the box.
- Read the Flesch scores, sentence stats and plain-language verdict.
- Rework the long or passive sentences listed below.
Why readability matters for search
People rarely read web pages word by word. They skim, look for the answer and leave if the text feels like work. Clear writing keeps them on the page long enough to call, book or buy. That is good for your business whether or not readability is a direct ranking signal, and Google's guidance on helpful content consistently points toward pages written for people.
Plain writing also helps when AI tools summarize your page. Short, direct sentences are easier to quote accurately. Our explainer on answer engine optimization covers that side in more detail.
What the scores mean
- Flesch Reading Ease runs from 0 to 100. Higher scores mean easier text. It is based on average sentence length and average syllables per word. A score of 60 or above is generally considered plain English for adult readers.
- Flesch-Kincaid grade turns the same inputs into an approximate US school grade level. A score of 8 suggests most eighth graders could follow the text.
- Words per sentence is often the quickest lever. Long averages pull both scores down.
- Long sentences are those over 25 words.
- Possible passive flags sentences built like "was made" or "is known," where the doer of the action is hidden or delayed.
The verdict line translates the Reading Ease score into a short plain-language summary.
How to improve a low score
Start with the sentences listed under "Sentences to look at." Split long ones at natural break points such as "and," "but" or "which." Rewrite passive sentences so the subject acts: "Our team repairs the roof" instead of "The roof is repaired by our team." Swap long words for shorter ones where meaning stays the same, like "use" for "utilize" or "help" for "facilitate." Then paste the text back in and compare.
Limits of readability formulas
These formulas count syllables and sentence lengths. They cannot tell whether text is accurate, well organized or useful. Syllable counts are estimates, so unusual words, names and abbreviations can skew results. Passive detection is pattern-based and will occasionally flag a sentence that is fine or miss one that is not.
Some topics need technical terms, and that is fine when your audience expects them. Aim for the simplest wording that stays accurate. Pair this with the heading structure checker so the page is easy to scan as well as easy to read.
Questions, answered
What Flesch Reading Ease score should I aim for?
For most business websites, a score of 60 or higher is a sensible rule of thumb, because that range reads as plain English to most adults. Technical or professional content can score lower and still suit its audience. Use the score to compare drafts of the same page, not as a strict pass mark.
Is passive voice always wrong?
No. Passive voice is useful when the doer is unknown or unimportant, as in "The office was built in 1990." The problem comes when it hides who does what or makes sentences longer than needed. The tool marks sentences as possibly passive so you can decide case by case.
Does readability affect Google rankings?
Google has not named readability scores as a ranking factor. However, its guidance stresses content that is helpful and written for people. Text that is easy to follow tends to keep visitors engaged and answer their questions, which supports the outcomes you care about, such as calls, bookings and sales.
Why does my score change when I split one sentence?
Both Flesch formulas depend heavily on average sentence length. In a short passage, splitting a single long sentence into two can noticeably lower the average and raise the score. This sensitivity is why the scores work best as a guide for revising, and why longer samples give steadier results.
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