Flesch Reading Ease¶
This score tells you how comfortable your text is to read. Higher numbers mean easier reading.
The Scale¶
| Score | How It Reads | Who Can Follow |
|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | Very easy | 5th graders |
| 80-90 | Easy | 6th graders |
| 70-80 | Fairly easy | 7th graders |
| 60-70 | Normal | 8th-9th graders |
| 50-60 | Fairly hard | 10th-12th graders |
| 30-50 | Hard | College students |
| 0-30 | Very hard | Grad students |
For Tech Docs
Most technical docs land between 30-50. That's fine for expert readers. Aim higher (50-60+) for tutorials or user guides.
What Affects the Score¶
The formula looks at:
- Sentence length - Longer sentences lower the score
- Word complexity - More syllables per word lower the score
Targets by Content Type¶
| Content | Target Score |
|---|---|
| API reference | 30-50 |
| User guides | 50-60 |
| Tutorials | 60-70 |
| Marketing | 70+ |
How to Improve¶
- Shorten sentences - Break long ones apart
- Use simple words - "use" beats "utilize"
- Go active - "The API sends data" not "Data is sent"
- Cut filler - Remove words that don't add meaning
Before and After
Before (score ~40): "The implementation of the authentication mechanism necessitates the utilization of secure token-based verification protocols."
After (score ~70): "Login uses secure tokens to verify users."