Writing
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level
The same two inputs reported as a United States school grade instead of an ease score.
The Formula
grade = 0.39 (words/sentences) + 11.8 (syllables/words) - 15.59
The same two inputs reported as a United States school grade instead of an ease score.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| G | Grade level | grade | United States school grade needed to understand the text. |
| n | Words | words | Total word count. |
| s | Sentences | sentences | Number of sentences. |
| y | Syllables | syllables | Total syllable count across all words. |
What Each Symbol Means
Ggrade
Grade level
United States school grade needed to understand the text.
nwords
Words
Total word count.
ssentences
Sentences
Number of sentences.
ysyllables
Syllables
Total syllable count across all words.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate flesch reading ease page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Flesch Reading Ease, filed under Education. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.