Understanding Readability Scores
Readability scores are designed to tell you how easy or difficult your text is to read. Most formulas output a grade level, which corresponds to the US education system.
Common Benchmarks
- Grade 8: The average reading level of the general public. Aim for this for most web content.
- Grade 10-12: Appropriate for more technical or professional audiences.
- Grade 6: Ideal for marketing copy where clarity and speed are paramount.
Why It Matters
If your content is too difficult for your target audience, they will likely stop reading. This increases your bounce rate and hurts your SEO.
How Scores are Calculated
Most readability formulas look at two main factors:
- Sentence Length: Longer sentences are harder to follow.
- Word Difficulty: This is usually measured by the number of syllables in a word or whether the word appears on a list of "common" words.
Interpreting Your Score
Don't get obsessed with hitting a specific number. Use the score as a guide. If you're writing for a medical journal, a Grade 12 score is fine. If you're selling sneakers, you probably want to be at Grade 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a score be too low?
Yes. If your score is below Grade 4-5, your writing might sound choppy or childish. However, for slogans and headlines, even Grade 1-2 is acceptable.