The Flesch Reading Ease score is a readability metric that rates text on a scale of 0 to 100 based on average sentence length and average number of syllables per word. Higher scores indicate easier-to-read content: a score of 60-70 is considered ideal for most web content, meaning it's easily understood by 13-15 year olds. The formula was developed by Rudolf Flesch in 1948 and remains one of the most widely used readability metrics.
The scoring scale breaks down as follows:
The Flesch Reading Ease formula is: 206.835 – (1.015 × average sentence length) – (84.6 × average syllables per word). This means you can improve readability by shortening sentences and using simpler words with fewer syllables. Both factors contribute roughly equally to the overall score.
While Google hasn't confirmed readability as a direct ranking factor, there's strong correlation between readable content and better SEO outcomes. Readable content leads to longer time on page, lower bounce rates, higher engagement, and more shares — all of which indirectly boost search performance. For GEO, clear and concise writing is also more likely to be cited by AI models.
Web readers scan content quickly and abandon pages that feel difficult to read. Content with a Flesch Reading Ease score in the 60-70 range reaches the broadest audience. For B2B content, scores of 40-60 may be appropriate, but consumer-facing content should generally aim for 60+.
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