Readability Scores: What They Are and How to Improve Them

Readability scores have become a quiet but powerful part of content writing. You might see them pop up in editing tools or SEO dashboards, usually alongside a number that tells you how easy or hard your text is to read. For freelance writers, understanding these scores isn’t just about chasing metrics. It’s about writing clearly, communicating well, and keeping your readers engaged without overthinking every word.

This guide walks you through what these metrics measure, how they affect your writing, and the smart ways to improve them without losing your voice or oversimplifying your ideas. That matters because most adults don’t read at an advanced level—research summarizing U.S. literacy data shows the average American reads at about a 7th–8th-grade level, which is why many organizations recommend aiming for content at an 8th-grade level when writing for a general audience.

Everything I’ve shared here—and more—is in my book, available on Amazon. Click the link if you’re ready to take the next step.

Readability Scores: What They Measure and Why They Matter

What makes writing easy to read, and why does it matter? This section breaks down the purpose behind readability formulas and how they shape reader engagement.

The Origins of Readability Formulas

Most readability formulas emerged in the early to mid-20th century. Developers created tools like the Flesch Reading Ease and the Gunning Fog Index for educators, military manuals, and public-facing documents. Their goal was simple: make information easier to digest, especially when it needed to reach a wide audience.

Over time, these formulas found their way into business writing, journalism, and now digital content. The rules have flaws. Still, the logic behind them makes sense. If a sentence is long, packed with difficult words, or structured in a way that forces readers to pause, your message loses impact.

How Readability Scores Affect User Engagement

Online readers are impatient. Even if your ideas are brilliant, most readers won’t fight through clunky sentences or overly technical language. If your writing slows them down, they’ll click away before reaching the value you worked hard to provide.

Research backs this up. A 2024 study in the Journal of Education and Learning (EduLearn) found that texts with different Flesch–Kincaid Grade Levels produced significant differences in both reading comprehension scores and reading time, as texts became harder to read, people understood less, and took longer to finish them.

A high clarity score doesn’t mean your content lacks substance. It helps your ideas land faster. Readers scan, absorb, and keep moving. Clear writing builds trust and gives them a reason to come back.

When a Low Readability Score Is a Problem

Not every piece of writing needs to hit a fifth-grade reading level. A white paper for software engineers or a medical explainer for physicians should naturally read at a higher level. The problem arises when content intended for a broad audience becomes overly dense or academic without a clear reason.

If your audience is casual readers, skimmers, or time-strapped decision-makers, a low readability score usually signals trouble. It suggests your content may need trimming, rewording, or a clearer structure.

Readability Scores: Breaking Down the Main Formulas

Not all readability formulas are created equal, but most follow the same core idea. This section breaks down the most popular systems and how freelance writers can use them without getting boxed in.

Understanding Flesch-Kincaid and Other Popular Tools

The Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level are the most widely used formulas. Both evaluate your writing based on sentence length and word difficulty. A higher Flesch Reading Ease score means the content is easier to read. Scores between 60 and 70 typically indicate content that’s accessible to a general audience.

Other tools, such as the Gunning Fog Index or the SMOG formula, also weigh word complexity and sentence length. While each system scores differently, they all reward shorter sentences and simpler vocabulary.

The takeaway isn’t to write like a textbook. It’s about being aware of the friction your writing may create and smoothing it out when necessary.

How Readability Scores Work Across Different Platforms

You’ll find readability scores baked into many writing tools. WordPress plugins like Yoast use Flesch Reading Ease to evaluate your blog posts. Email marketing platforms sometimes flag copy that may be too complex. Apps like Hemingway or Grammarly give you an estimated grade level and suggest edits to improve flow.

In UX and content design, readability is treated as a core usability factor. The Interaction Design Foundation notes that high readability boosts user engagement and comprehension, reduces cognitive load, and can even improve SEO performance, because search engines tend to favor content that’s easy to process.

The important thing is to treat these tools as guides, not rules. A sentence that scores poorly might still work if it reflects your voice or suits your audience. The scores can nudge you toward stronger writing, but they shouldn’t flatten your style.

Which Readability Score Is Best for Freelance Writers?

For most freelance writers, especially those writing web content, the Flesch-Kincaid tools offer a good balance of insight and flexibility. They’re easy to understand and widely used by clients and editors.

That said, the best score is the one that fits the purpose of the piece. If your client wants broad appeal, aim for a lower grade level. If you’re writing for experts, a higher score may be fine as long as the ideas are clear.

Readability Scores: Tools Writers Can Use to Improve Them

Improving readability starts with the right tools and smart habits. Whether you’re drafting from scratch or cleaning up a rough version, the right system can make your writing clearer and faster to edit.

Top Readability Checkers You Can Start Using Today

Several free and paid tools help you check and improve readability without adding friction to your process. Hemingway Editor gives you a quick snapshot of grade level, sentence complexity, and passive voice. Grammarly adds grammar and tone suggestions. Readable.com offers more advanced scoring across different formulas.

Each tool has its strengths. Hemingway works well for short-form content like blog posts and emails. Grammarly shines when tone and structure matter. Readable.com suits longer, client-facing documents.

You don’t need all of them. Pick one or two that fit your workflow and stick with them consistently.

Pairing AI Writing Tools With Readability Score Feedback

If you use AI for drafting, readability tools become even more important. AI-generated content often mimics formal or bloated language unless prompted otherwise. That’s where readability checks come in handy. They help you trim the fat, rephrase awkward lines, and tighten the rhythm of your sentences.

A simple workflow looks like this:

Write → Quick human edit → Run through a readability tool → Final polish

This system lets you stay efficient without sacrificing clarity.

Editing Tips to Boost Your Readability Score Naturally

Improving readability isn’t just about swapping words. It’s about changing how your writing flows. Try these practical tips:

• Break long sentences into two or more
• Use common words instead of jargon
• Read your writing aloud to spot clunky or unnatural phrasing
• Add bullet points or numbered lists for clarity
• Keep paragraphs short and focused on one idea

Over time, these habits become second nature. Your writing gets smoother, and the scores tend to follow.

Readability Scores: Build a Workflow That Keeps Things Clear

A clear message doesn’t begin with the final edit. It starts with how you draft, revise, and build simple AI writing workflows that train your eye to spot what slows readers down.

How to Catch Wordiness Before It Slows Readers Down

Clarity starts in the drafting stage. If you catch yourself over-explaining, stacking too many ideas in one sentence, or using filler words, pause and rework it. Wordiness drains energy from your message.

Instead of saying “due to the fact that,” write “because.” Instead of “in order to,” just use “to.” These swaps may seem small, but they add up across a full article.

Reading your draft aloud helps, too. If you stumble while reading, your audience will too.

Training Your Eye to Spot Poor Readability in Drafts

With practice, you won’t need to rely on scores as much. You’ll start spotting signs of poor readability as you write. Look for:

• Sentences over 25 words
• Back-to-back clauses
• Repeat long words only when needed
• Dense paragraphs with no breaks

Highlight these areas during your edit. Even if you don’t shorten everything, being aware gives you control over how the writing moves.

Use Readability Scores to Guide, Not Control, Your Style

Clarity tools are one option in your editing kit. They give you a signal, not a rule. If a score indicates the piece is too dense, take a closer look and see if you agree. If not, trust your instincts.

The best writing feels natural. It’s clear, confident, and easy to follow. Suppose a tool helps you get there, great. If not, set it aside and write the way your audience needs.

Final Thoughts

Readability metrics won’t define your writing. They help sharpen it, allowing you to catch patterns you might miss and make your content more inviting to read. As a freelance writer, that’s a valuable edge.

Use these tools to support your editing, not to chase perfection. Strong writing speaks clearly and meets the reader where they are. When you build that kind of clarity into your workflow, both your words and your work carry more weight.

Ready to Make Your Writing Clearer?

Start by checking your next draft with a readability tool. Even one quick pass can highlight what’s working and what needs trimming. Keep your voice, sharpen your message, and stay focused on what your readers need most.

What’s one habit that helps you improve clarity in your writing?

Frequently Asked Questions About Reliability Scores