What reading level should I target?

For general audiences, aim for grade 6–8. Academic writing is typically 12+. News articles target grade 8–10.

How accurate is this formula?

The Flesch-Kincaid formula is a widely accepted estimate. It works well for English prose but may be less accurate for technical or poetic text.

Count the vowel sounds in each word. For example, "education" has 4 syllables. Average this across a sample of your text.

Estimate the reading grade level of a text using the Flesch-Kincaid formula based on average sentence length and syllables per word.

Average Sentence Length (words)

Average Syllables per Word

Grade Level

8.0

Flesch Reading Ease64.7

Rounded Grade Level8

Grade Level vs Average Sentence Length (words)

The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula estimates the U.S. school grade needed to understand a text.

Grade Level = 0.39 x ASL + 11.8 x ASW - 15.59

Where ASL = Average Sentence Length, ASW = Average Syllables per Word.

Lower grade levels mean easier text. A grade level of 8 means an 8th grader can understand it.

A text has an average sentence length of 15 words and 1.5 syllables per word.