How to Analyze Text Readability and Word Count
Good writing isn't just about ideas — it's about how easily those ideas are absorbed. Readability analysis measures how accessible your text is to your target audience. Word count, sentence length, syllable complexity, and vocabulary level all affect whether readers finish your content or bounce.
- Check word count, character count, reading time, and readability scores.
- Covers understanding readability scores.
- What to Optimize.
- Covers word count guidelines.
- Covers using the text analyzer.
Understanding Readability Scores
Flesch Reading Ease scores text from 0 (very difficult) to 100 (very easy). Aim for 60-70 for general web content. Academic papers score 30-40. Marketing copy should score 70+.
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level estimates the US school grade needed to understand the text. Grade 8 is ideal for most web content — it's not about dumbing down, it's about clarity.
Gunning Fog Index measures sentence length and complex words. Below 12 is readable. Above 17 is difficult.
What to Optimize
Short sentences improve readability — aim for 15-20 words average. Short paragraphs (2-4 sentences) improve scanability. Simple words beat complex synonyms — 'use' over 'utilize,' 'help' over 'facilitate.' Active voice over passive voice. The Text Analyzer highlights all of these metrics and flags issues.
Word Count Guidelines
Blog posts: 1,000-2,500 words for SEO, 300-600 for quick tips. Landing pages: 300-500 words for simple products, 1,000+ for complex offerings. Meta descriptions: 120-155 characters. Social media: varies by platform (see the Social Character Counter). The Text Analyzer provides real-time word count, character count, sentence count, paragraph count, and estimated reading time.
background-size animation or @property registered custom properties instead.Using the Text Analyzer
Paste your text into the Text Analyzer and get instant metrics: word count, character count (with and without spaces), sentence count, paragraph count, average sentence length, average word length, reading time, and readability scores. The tool highlights long sentences and complex words so you can edit for clarity.