How it works
Both formulas take the same three inputs: total words, total sentences, and total syllables. Flesch Reading Ease is 206.835 minus 1.015 times the average words per sentence, minus 84.6 times the average syllables per word — higher scores mean easier reading. Flesch–Kincaid grade level uses the same two ratios with different constants and returns a US school grade instead of a 0–100 score.
Syllables are estimated, not looked up. The tool counts vowel groups in each word, applies the usual adjustments for silent endings, and handles common suffixes. That works well across ordinary prose and less well on technical vocabulary and proper nouns, so treat the score as a close approximation rather than an exact value.
Alongside the scores you get your longest sentences ranked, because sentence length is the input you can most easily change. Shortening three sentences usually moves the score more than swapping a dozen words.
The whole calculation runs in your browser on the text in the box. Nothing is uploaded, and the numbers update as you edit.
Why it matters for academic writing
Academic prose is naturally harder to read than general writing, and a low reading-ease score is not by itself a fault. What the score is good for is comparison: if your discussion section is markedly harder than your introduction, the difference is usually long sentences and stacked noun phrases rather than deeper ideas. Grant summaries, lay abstracts, and public-facing writing genuinely do need to score easier.
