Flesch Reading Ease Score: Formula and How to Improve It
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The Flesch Reading Ease score rates text from about 0 to 100; higher scores are easier to read. It is based only on average sentence length and average syllables per word.
The formula
Reading Ease = 206.835 − 1.015 × (words ÷ sentences) − 84.6 × (syllables ÷ words).
Because it only uses sentence and word length, it measures complexity, not quality or accuracy.
What scores mean
Roughly: 90–100 very easy, 60–70 plain English, 30–50 difficult, below 30 very difficult (often academic or legal text).
Many web writers aim for around 60 or higher for general audiences.
How to improve your score
Shorten long sentences — split anything over about 25 words. Replace long words with shorter ones: "use" for "utilise", "help" for "facilitate".
Use active voice and cut filler phrases like "in order to".
Know its limits
Technical terms may be necessary for expert readers even if they lower the score.
Use the score as a guide, then read the text aloud to judge clarity.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?
About 60–70 is plain English for most readers.
Is a higher score better?
Higher means easier, but the right score depends on your audience.
What affects the score?
Only sentence length and syllables per word.