Flesch Reading Ease Score: Complete Guide to Readability

The Flesch Reading Ease score is one of the most widely used readability metrics. Developed by Rudolf Flesch in the 1940s, it helps writers ensure their content is accessible to their target audience. Understanding and optimizing for readability can dramatically improve engagement with your content.

What Is Flesch Reading Ease?

Flesch Reading Ease is a readability test that rates text on a 100-point scale. The higher the score, the easier the text is to read:

• Higher scores (60-100): Easy to read, accessible to most people
• Middle scores (30-60): Fairly difficult, requires some education
• Lower scores (0-30): Very difficult, academic/professional level

The score considers two main factors: sentence length and word complexity (measured by syllable count).

Understanding the Score Scale

How It's Calculated

The Flesch Reading Ease formula is:

Breaking Down the Formula

• 206.835: Starting constant
• words/sentences: Average sentence length (ASL)
• syllables/words: Average syllables per word (ASW)

What This Means

• Longer sentences = Lower score (harder to read)
• More syllables per word = Lower score (harder to read)
• Shorter sentences + simpler words = Higher score (easier)

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level

The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level is a related metric that converts readability to a U.S. school grade level:

Grade Level Examples

Flesch Reading Ease vs. Grade Level

Target Scores by Content Type

Web Content & Blogs

• Target: 60-70 Flesch Reading Ease
• Grade Level: 7th-9th grade
• Why: Accessible to general audience, good for scanning

Marketing Copy

• Target: 70-80 Flesch Reading Ease
• Grade Level: 5th-7th grade
• Why: Needs to be instantly understood, persuasive

Technical Documentation

• Target: 40-60 Flesch Reading Ease
• Grade Level: 10th-12th grade
• Why: Precision matters, audience expects complexity

Academic Writing

• Target: 20-40 Flesch Reading Ease
• Grade Level: College+
• Why: Scholarly audience, technical terminology required

Legal Documents

• Typical: 10-30 Flesch Reading Ease
• Target (plain language): 40-50
• Note: Many jurisdictions now require plain language

How to Improve Readability

Shorten Sentences

• Aim for 15-20 words per sentence on average
• Break long sentences into two or three shorter ones
• Vary sentence length for rhythm
• Use periods instead of semicolons and commas

Use Simpler Words

Structural Improvements

• Use active voice: "We analyzed the data" not "The data was analyzed"
• Cut filler words: Remove "very," "really," "basically"
• Break up paragraphs: 3-4 sentences max
• Use bullet points: For lists and key points
• Add subheadings: Help readers scan

Readability Testing Tools

Built-in Tools

• Microsoft Word: File > Options > Proofing > Show readability statistics
• Google Docs: Use add-ons like "Readability Score"

Online Tools

• TypeCount: Free word counter with readability metrics
• Hemingway Editor: Highlights complex sentences
• Grammarly: Includes readability score (premium)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?

A Flesch Reading Ease score of 60-70 is considered ideal for most web content, making it easily understood by 13-15 year olds and most adults. Scores above 60 are generally considered "plain English" that most people can read and understand easily.

What is the difference between Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level?

Flesch Reading Ease gives a score from 0-100 where higher is easier to read. Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level gives a U.S. school grade level (e.g., 8.0 = 8th grade reading level). Both measure the same aspects of readability but use different scales.

How do I calculate Flesch Reading Ease?

The formula is: 206.835 - 1.015(total words/total sentences) - 84.6(total syllables/total words). Most word processors like Microsoft Word calculate this automatically, as do online tools like TypeCount.

What Flesch score should blog posts have?

Blog posts should typically aim for a Flesch Reading Ease score of 60-70 for general audiences. Technical blogs targeting expert audiences may be lower (50-60), while content for younger audiences or quick reads should be higher (70-80).

Is a higher or lower Flesch score better?

For Flesch Reading Ease, higher is easier to read and usually better for most content. However, the "best" score depends on your audience. Academic content may appropriately have lower scores, while marketing copy should be as high as possible.

Can I have too high a Flesch score?

For general audiences, higher is usually better. However, extremely simple writing (90+) might feel condescending to educated readers or fail to convey complex ideas accurately. Match your score to your audience and purpose.