Quick answer: This tool calculates the Flesch Reading Ease score and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of any text you paste, using the original published formulas (206.835 − 1.015 × average sentence length − 84.6 × average syllables per word, and its grade-level counterpart). Both run entirely in your browser.
Paste a resume summary, cover letter, article or any block of text to see two standard readability scores: the Flesch Reading Ease score (0 to 100, higher is easier) and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (the approximate US school grade needed to follow the text easily).
Both are calculated using the original published formulas, directly in your browser. Nothing you paste is uploaded.
The formulas, exactly
Flesch Reading Ease = 206.835 − 1.015 × (words ÷ sentences) − 84.6 × (syllables ÷ words).
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level = 0.39 × (words ÷ sentences) + 11.8 × (syllables ÷ words) − 15.59.
Syllables are counted with a standard vowel-group heuristic, the same general approach most readability tools use; it is a close approximation, not a perfect dictionary lookup, which is normal for this kind of calculation and matches how tools like Microsoft Word estimate it too.
What score should I aim for?
For a resume or cover letter, aiming for the "Standard" range (a Flesch score of roughly 60 to 70, an 8th-to-9th-grade level) is a reasonable general target: clear and professional without being either simplistic or needlessly dense.
A worked example
Example. A cover letter paragraph full of long, clause-heavy sentences and words like "facilitate" and "leverage" will often score in the "Fairly difficult" or "Difficult" range; breaking it into shorter sentences with plainer words typically moves it into the "Standard" range without losing meaning.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming a higher Flesch score is always better. Extremely high scores can mean choppy, overly simplistic sentences for professional writing.
- Testing a very short snippet. Readability formulas are more meaningful on a paragraph or more of real text than on a single sentence.
- Applying the formula to non-English text, which these formulas were not designed for and will not score reliably.
Frequently asked questions
Is a higher score always better?
Not necessarily. Very high scores (very short, simple sentences) can read as choppy for professional writing. The "Standard" to "Fairly easy" range suits most resumes and cover letters.
Is this exactly how Microsoft Word calculates it?
It uses the same published formulas Word uses. Small differences can occur due to how each tool counts sentences and syllables in edge cases.
Is my text uploaded anywhere?
No. The score is calculated entirely in your browser.
Does this work for languages other than English?
The formulas were developed for English and are not reliable for other languages.
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Sources and further reading
Formulas on this page are checked by automated tests against independent references. See how we test our tools.