Understanding Readability Scores
The Flesch Reading Ease score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores (70–100) indicate text that is easy to read, suitable for general audiences. Lower scores (0–30) indicate complex academic or technical writing. Most web content should aim for a score of 60–70 (equivalent to a 7th–9th grade reading level).
The Gunning Fog Index estimates the years of formal education needed to understand the text. A score of 6 is suitable for most readers, while a score of 12+ is university level.
FAQ
What readability score should I aim for?
For general web content, aim for a Flesch score of 60–70 (plain English, easy to read). For professional blogs, 50–60 is acceptable. Academic or technical writing may naturally fall lower, but always simplify where possible to improve engagement.