Flesch-Kincaid Readability Calculator

Gauge how easy your content is to read using the Flesch–Kincaid grade level. Enter the number of words, sentences, and syllables in your passage to see the U.S. school grade required for comprehension. Use the feedback to simplify instructions, optimize marketing copy, or align textbooks with curriculum standards.

Copy the passage into a document editor and capture the exact word count.
Count every full sentence, including questions or exclamations.
Use a syllable counter tool or manually tally each word's syllables for accuracy.

Readability formulas are estimates; real comprehension varies among readers.

Examples

  • 1,250 words, 52 sentences, 1,890 syllables ⇒ Grade level 9.8
  • 350 words, 18 sentences, 470 syllables ⇒ Grade level 7.0
  • 95 words, 4 sentences, 120 syllables ⇒ Grade level 5.5

FAQ

What does the grade level mean?

It estimates the U.S. school grade a reader would need to comfortably understand the material on first pass.

Can I use this for other languages?

The coefficients were built for English text, so results for other languages may not be reliable without adjustments.

Do abbreviations affect the result?

Yes. Abbreviations, bullet lists, and headings can skew counts—proofread your data to ensure each sentence and syllable is tallied correctly.

How can I lower the grade level?

Shorten sentences, use common vocabulary, replace jargon with definitions, and break up dense paragraphs with formatting.

Additional Information

  • The formula blends average sentence length (words ÷ sentences) and average syllables per word (syllables ÷ words).
  • Lower scores indicate more accessible text; higher scores suggest academic or technical writing aimed at older readers.
  • Pair this metric with other readability tests such as Flesch Reading Ease or Gunning Fog for a rounded view.

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