A readability checker analyses text across multiple formulas and returns scores that indicate how easy or difficult the text is to read. Each formula weights different signals — sentence length, word length and syllable count. The median grade level combines them into a single robust summary that reduces the influence of any one formula’s quirks for a specific text type.Documentation Index
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Run a free readability check at spotzee.com/tools/readability-scorer.
Why this matters
Email marketing copy written above a Grade 8 reading level consistently underperforms copy written at Grade 6–7. The reason is not that recipients cannot understand it. Higher-complexity text requires more cognitive effort to scan — and most people decide within a few seconds whether to read or delete. Simpler writing lowers the barrier to engagement. Readability also affects how copy performs through spam filters. Both very complex and unusually simple text can contribute to higher spam scores. Spam filters look at vocabulary and sentence patterns as one of many signals. Hitting the right reading level helps on both dimensions.Metrics
The scorer calculates seven readability formulas and two summary indicators in a single pass:| Metric | What it measures |
|---|---|
| Flesch Reading Ease | 0–100 scale. Higher = easier. 60–70 is standard for most consumer communication. |
| Flesch-Kincaid Grade | US grade level needed to understand the text. |
| SMOG Index | Years of education needed, weighted toward polysyllabic words. |
| Coleman-Liau Index | Grade level derived from character count rather than syllable count. |
| Automated Readability Index | Grade level based on characters per word and words per sentence. |
| Linsear Write Formula | Grade level optimised for technical writing. |
| RIX | Scandinavian readability index — number of long words per sentence. |
| Median grade level | Median of all grade-level scores. Best single indicator of text difficulty. |
| Reading time | Estimated seconds at average reading speed. |
How it works
Paste your text
Paste any body of text — at least a full paragraph for meaningful scores. Short fragments produce unreliable results because formulas rely on sentence-count averages.
Run seven readability formulas
The tool calculates all seven formulas in a single pass and computes the median grade level and estimated reading time.
Read the median grade
The median grade level is the single best summary. It averages across all formulas to reduce the influence of any one metric’s quirks.
What to watch for
- Flesch Reading Ease below 60. Text is in “Fairly Difficult” territory or worse. Shorten sentences and replace multi-syllable words with simpler alternatives.
- Median grade above 10. Most email copy should target Grade 7–9. Grade 10+ reads like academic or legal writing — simplify unless your audience expects that register.
- SMOG Index above 12. SMOG specifically measures polysyllabic word load. Above 12 means you are using many long words. Simplify vocabulary regardless of sentence length.
- Reading time above 90 seconds. Marketing emails that take more than 90 seconds to read underperform shorter ones. Cut sections, tighten paragraphs or split into a series.
- Large gap between Flesch and grade scores. If Flesch looks acceptable but grade levels are high, your text has an unusual sentence-to-word-complexity mix. Review both dimensions separately to diagnose which to fix.
FAQs
What is a good readability score for email?
What is a good readability score for email?
Target a Flesch Reading Ease of 60–70 (Standard to Fairly Easy) for most marketing email. This corresponds to approximately Grade 7–8 Flesch-Kincaid — the reading level of most general consumer communication. Financial services and technical audiences can tolerate slightly higher grade levels, but 60+ Flesch is a good floor for any high-volume campaign.
What is Flesch Reading Ease?
What is Flesch Reading Ease?
Flesch Reading Ease scores text on a 0–100 scale based on average syllables per word and words per sentence. Higher scores mean easier reading. 90–100 is very easy (short words, simple sentences). 60–70 is standard. Below 30 is very difficult — typical of academic or legal writing.
Why does the median grade matter more than one formula?
Why does the median grade matter more than one formula?
Each readability formula weights different signals and produces different results for the same text. The median grade level averages across seven formulas to give a single, robust estimate. Any one formula can produce an outlier for a specific text type — the median reduces that noise.
How much text do I need for accurate scores?
How much text do I need for accurate scores?
At least 100 words. Readability formulas rely on sentence-count averages. A single sentence or very short fragment can produce wildly inaccurate scores. Paste at least a full paragraph — ideally the entire email body or page section you want to evaluate.
How do I improve my readability score?
How do I improve my readability score?
Shorten your sentences (aim for 15–20 words on average), replace polysyllabic words with shorter synonyms, and use active voice. Each revision pass usually moves the score measurably — re-run after each edit to track the improvement.
Where can I learn more about readability scores?
Where can I learn more about readability scores?
This guide covers target score ranges by audience type, a step-by-step rewrite checklist, and how readability fits into a full email content review. Pair it with the email subject line scorer guide for a complete pre-send content quality check.