Why it matters
Clear writing helps everyone, and it matters most for people reading on a small screen, in a hurry, in a second language or with dyslexia. GOV.UK writes for a reading age of 9, which is a good target for any service people need to use.
Readability scores are a rough guide: they count sentence and word length, not meaning. What helps most is seeing which sentences are long and where passive voice hides who does what. This checker highlights both, sentence by sentence, so you know exactly what to rewrite.
How to use it
- Paste or type your copy. Each paragraph or line is treated as at least one sentence.
- Read the two scores: aim for Flesch 60 or more, and a reading age of 9 to 12 for most websites.
- Look for highlighted sentences, passive phrases and words with simpler alternatives.
- Rewrite, then copy or download the report.
FAQ
How is the UK reading age worked out?
It's the Flesch-Kincaid grade level plus five, the usual conversion from US school grades to ages. Treat it as a guide, not a precise age.
Is the passive voice check exact?
No. It looks for a form of 'to be' followed by a past participle, like 'was written'. Most hits are real passive voice, but some aren't. Passive voice isn't wrong, just often less clear.
How are syllables counted?
With rules that handle most English words, plus exceptions for common tricky ones. Counts can be one out on unusual words, which barely moves the score.
Is my text sent anywhere?
No. It's analysed in your browser.
