Readability Checker
Score your text with Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade, and see what is making it hard to read.
How to use this tool
- Select your file, drag it onto the box above.
- Processing starts automatically — there is nothing to configure.
- Check the result panel, which shows the original size, the final size and the page count.
- Click Download to save it.
These are the two standard readability formulas, used by US plain-language rules and built into most word processors. They measure sentence length and syllable count — not whether the writing is good, but they reliably catch prose denser than it needs to be.
The specification
| Flesch Reading Ease | 0–100. Higher is easier. 60–70 is plain English |
|---|---|
| Flesch-Kincaid Grade | US school grade level needed to read it comfortably |
| Long sentences | Flags anything over 25 words |
| Passive voice | Estimates passive constructions |
| Wordy phrases | Flags common padding with shorter replacements |
How it works
This tool runs entirely in your browser. There is no server involved, which means nothing you type or upload is transmitted, stored, or logged — and there are no usage limits, because there is nothing for us to ration.
You can confirm it yourself: open your browser's developer tools, select the Network tab, and use the tool. No request is made.
Who uses this
Writers aiming at a general audience, anyone producing public-facing documentation, and content teams checking a page is not harder than it needs to be.
Frequently asked questions
What score should I aim for?
For a general audience, Flesch Reading Ease of 60–70 — roughly 8th to 9th grade. Journalism typically lands around 60. Technical documentation sits lower and that is often appropriate; the score is a check, not a target to game.
How is the score calculated?
Flesch Reading Ease = 206.835 − 1.015 × (words per sentence) − 84.6 × (syllables per word). Only two things move it: sentence length and word length. Splitting long sentences is by far the fastest improvement.
Is a low score bad?
Not necessarily. A legal contract or research paper scores low because the vocabulary genuinely requires it. The score is useful when your text is harder than your audience needs, not as an absolute standard.
How accurate is the passive voice count?
It is an estimate from a pattern match, so it over-counts slightly — phrases like "is finished" get flagged. Treat it as a prompt to look, not a definitive count.
Are my files uploaded to a server?
No. Everything runs inside your browser on your own device. Your file is never transmitted and never stored by us. You can confirm this by opening your browser’s Network tab while you use the tool — you will see no upload request.
Is there a limit on how many files I can process?
No. There is no daily cap, no account, and no watermark. Because the work happens on your device rather than our servers, there is nothing for us to ration.
Is this tool really free?
Yes — no account, no trial, no watermark, and no cap on usage. It runs on your own device rather than our servers, so there is no cost for us to pass on.
Does it work on mobile?
Yes. The interface adapts to phone and tablet screens, and everything runs in the browser, so there is no app to install.
Related tools
From other categories
Your files stay on your device. This tool runs entirely in your browser. No file is uploaded, transmitted, or stored. You can verify this by opening your browser's Network tab while using the tool.
Disclaimer. Specifications published by exam boards, governments and platforms change without notice. We verify and date every specification on this site, but you should always confirm against the official source before submitting an application. See our full disclaimer.