How to Check Your English Writing Readability
If you are learning English and want to write clearly, checking your readability score is one of the most useful habits you can develop. Readability scores tell you how easy or difficult your text is to read.
What Is a Readability Score?
A readability score is a number that estimates how easy a piece of text is to read. The most common system is the Flesch Reading Ease score. It ranges from 0 to 100. A higher score means easier reading.
The score is calculated using two simple things: your average sentence length and the average number of syllables per word. Shorter sentences and simpler words give you a higher score.
How to Use Our Readability Checker
Using the ClearWrite Readability Checker is simple:
- Go to the readability checker page.
- Paste or type your English text in the box.
- Instantly see your Flesch Reading Ease score, grade level, and detailed stats.
The tool updates in real time, so you can edit and improve your writing immediately.
What Score Should You Aim For?
For non-native English speakers writing for a general audience, aim for a score between 60 and 70. This is considered "Standard" or "Plain English." Most popular news websites score around 60-65.
If you are writing for social media or a casual blog, a score of 70-80 works well. For professional or academic writing, 40-55 may be appropriate, but try to keep it as clear as possible.
Tips to Improve Your Readability Score
- Use shorter sentences: Break long sentences into two or three shorter ones.
- Choose simpler words: Use "use" instead of "utilize", "help" instead of "facilitate".
- Avoid passive voice: "The team completed the project" is clearer than "The project was completed by the team."
- Keep one idea per sentence: If a sentence has multiple ideas, split it.
- Use bullet points and headings: They make text easier to scan and understand.
Why This Matters for English Learners
When you write in English as a non-native speaker, your readers may also be non-native speakers. Using clear, readable English helps everyone understand your message. It is not about dumbing down your writing — it is about communicating effectively.
Start checking your readability today using our free readability checker. Your readers will thank you.