Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Chart
Quick reference guide for understanding readability scores and grade levels
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Flesch Reading Ease Scale
The Flesch Reading Ease score ranges from 0-100. Higher scores indicate easier readability.
90-100
Very Easy
5th grade • Average sentence: 12 words • Syllables per word: 1.3
Examples: Comic books, simple instructions
80-89
Easy
6th grade • Average sentence: 14 words • Syllables per word: 1.4
Examples: Children's magazines, simple web content
70-79
Fairly Easy
7th grade • Average sentence: 15 words • Syllables per word: 1.5
Examples: Marketing copy, social media posts
60-69
Standard
8th-9th grade • Average sentence: 17 words • Syllables per word: 1.6
Examples: Blog posts, news articles, business documents
50-59
Fairly Difficult
10th-12th grade • Average sentence: 21 words • Syllables per word: 1.7
Examples: High school textbooks, technical blogs
30-49
Difficult
College level • Average sentence: 25 words • Syllables per word: 1.9
Examples: Academic papers, professional journals
0-29
Very Difficult
College graduate+ • Average sentence: 30+ words • Syllables per word: 2+
Examples: Scientific papers, legal documents, medical journals
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Scale
This formula outputs a U.S. school grade level, indicating the education needed to understand the text.
Grade 5-6
Elementary School
Comic books, children's books, very simple content
Grade 7-8
Middle School
Marketing copy, social media, easy web content
Grade 9-10
High School (Freshman/Sophomore)
Blog posts, news articles, standard web content
Grade 11-12
High School (Junior/Senior)
Newspapers, business documents, textbooks
Grade 13-16
College (Undergraduate)
Academic papers, technical documentation, reports
Grade 17+
Graduate School
Scientific journals, legal documents, medical papers
Quick Tips for Each Level
Target: Grade 5-8 (Easy Reading)
- • Keep sentences under 15 words
- • Use 1-2 syllable words whenever possible
- • Break complex ideas into simple steps
- • Use active voice ("We offer" not "It is offered by us")
Target: Grade 8-10 (Standard Reading)
- • Aim for 15-20 words per sentence
- • Mix simple and complex words naturally
- • Use subheadings every 200-300 words
- • Include examples and explanations
Target: Grade 10-12 (Advanced Reading)
- • Sentences can be 20-25 words
- • Technical terms are acceptable with context
- • Assume some background knowledge
- • Maintain formal but clear tone
Target: College+ (Academic Reading)
- • Longer sentences (25-30+ words) are fine
- • Use discipline-specific terminology
- • Focus on precision over simplicity
- • Include citations and references
Score Comparison Table
| Flesch Score | FK Grade | Education Level | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90-100 | 5th grade | Elementary | Children's content, simple instructions |
| 80-89 | 6th grade | Elementary | Easy web content, marketing |
| 70-79 | 7th grade | Middle School | Social media, ads |
| 60-69 | 8th-9th grade | Middle/High School | Blogs, news articles |
| 50-59 | 10th-12th grade | High School | Business docs, textbooks |
| 30-49 | 13th-16th grade | College | Academic papers, technical docs |
| 0-29 | Graduate+ | Post-Graduate | Scientific journals, legal docs |
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