Understanding reading level and Flesch score
The Flesch Reading Ease score rates content on a 100-point scale. The higher the number, the easier the text is to understand:
| Score | Reading Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 90 – 100 | 5th Grade | Very easy to read. Conversational and punchy. |
| 80 – 89 | 6th Grade | Easy reading. Plain English for general audiences. |
| 70 – 79 | 7th Grade | Fairly easy. Ideal for consumer blogs and product descriptions. |
| 60 – 69 | 8th & 9th Grade | Standard reading level. Recommended for business writing. |
| 50 – 59 | 10th – 12th Grade | Fairly difficult. Appropriate for academic or trade articles. |
| 0 – 49 | College / Graduate | Difficult. Dense technical, medical, or legal documents. |
How to use this text tool
- Paste or type your writing directly into the box. All metrics update instantly as you keystroke.
- Check length requirements: Keep track of strict character limits for social media, cover letters, essays, or meta descriptions.
- Time your presentations: Use the speaking time metric to rehearse speeches and keynote presentations accurately.
- Improve clarity: If your readability score is under 60, shorten long sentences and replace complex multisyllabic jargon with plain words.
Frequently asked questions
Does this tool save or upload what I paste?
No. The counting happens inside your own browser. Your text is never sent to us or saved anywhere, and it's gone when you close or reload the page.
How is reading time calculated?
We divide the word count by 200 words per minute, a common rule of thumb for reading carefully. Real reading speed varies a lot from person to person and with how hard the text is, so treat it as a rough guide.
How is speaking time calculated?
We divide the word count by 130 words per minute, a steady speaking pace for talks and presentations. Many people speak faster, so using a slower pace helps you avoid running over time. Rehearse out loud to check your own speed.