Word Counter & Readability
Count words, characters, sentences, and paragraphs in any text. Get a Flesch Reading Ease score, estimated reading time, and speaking time — updates as you type.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good Flesch Reading Ease score?
Flesch Reading Ease scores range from 0 to 100. Scores of 70–80 are considered standard — suitable for most online readers and equivalent to 7th-grade reading level. Blog posts and marketing copy typically aim for 60–70. Technical documentation often falls in the 40–60 range. News articles targeting broad audiences aim for 70+. Scores below 30 indicate academic or highly technical writing that most general readers will find difficult. For business websites targeting non-specialist audiences, aim for 55–70 — specific enough to show expertise, readable enough to keep visitors engaged.
How accurate is the reading time estimate?
The estimate uses 238 words per minute, which is the average silent reading speed for adult non-fiction readers based on multiple academic studies. Actual reading speed varies by individual (150–350 WPM is a wide but common range), content complexity (technical writing slows most readers to 100–150 WPM), and engagement level (skimming vs. careful reading). For blog posts, the estimate is a reasonable guide for SEO meta fields and "X min read" labels. Add 10–20% buffer for posts with code samples, tables, or complex charts that require extra processing time.
Why does word count matter for SEO?
Word count is not a direct ranking factor, but it correlates with content comprehensiveness. Pages that thoroughly cover a topic tend to be longer because they answer more related questions, include necessary context, and address variations in user intent. Google's search quality raters look for content that satisfies the user's need — a 300-word article about a complex topic often fails that test while a 1,500-word article that genuinely explains the subject does not. For competitive informational keywords, check the average word count of pages in the top 5 results and match that depth, not just that word count.