Check your content's reading ease

SiteCurl runs the Flesch reading ease score on the visible text of each page in your scan. The score ranges from 0 to 100. Higher scores mean easier reading. A score of 60 to 70 is standard for web content. Below 50 is flagged as hard to read.

The formula looks at average line length and average syllables per word. Shorter lines and simpler words give higher scores. Long lines packed with big words give lower scores.

SiteCurl shows the score per page, so you can spot which pages need simpler text and which are at a good reading level.

Most web users do not read. They scan. Eye-tracking studies show that people read about 20% of the text on a web page. When the text is hard to read, that share drops even more.

The Flesch reading ease score measures how clear your writing is. It was built in the 1940s for the U.S. Navy to grade tech manuals, and it is still one of the most used measures. A score of 60 to 70 maps roughly to an 8th to 9th grade reading level, which is the sweet spot for most web content.

The score dings two things: long lines and big words. A line with 30 words forces the reader to hold many ideas in mind at once. A word with four syllables takes more effort to parse than a two-syllable one. Neither is wrong on its own, but when both stack up across a page, the content becomes a chore.

The goal is not to dumb down your content. It is to make it clear to the widest crowd. Clear writing takes more effort from the writer but less from the reader. That trade-off always favors the reader.

How easy your content is to read directly affects clicks and reads. Pages with lower scores have higher bounce rates since users give up before reaching the key point. If your call to action is buried in a wall of hard text, fewer people will find it.

Google factors user engagement into rankings. A page that users leave fast sends a signal that the content did not match the search intent. While Google does not use reading scores directly, the effects of hard text (high bounce rate, low time on page) can affect your search results.

Reading ease also affects sales. A pricing page or product write-up that needs a college reading level shuts out a large share of would-be buyers. Simpler text converts better.

SaaS firms with technical products often write copy that assumes too much. Feature pages full of jargon and long blocks lose users who are still learning what the product does.

Service firms (law, finance, consulting) tend toward formal, dense writing. This is fine for peers but not for would-be clients searching for answers to basic questions.

Content teams who write long-form blog posts can drift toward hard text as they cover a topic in depth. Breaking long posts into shorter blocks and lines keeps the reading ease score up.

Step 1: Shorten your lines. Break lines over 20 words into two. Read each line aloud. If you run out of breath, the line is too long.

Step 2: Swap big words for simpler ones. Use 'use' not 'utilize.' Use 'help' not 'facilitate.' Use 'start' not 'commence.' The simpler word almost always says the same thing.

Step 3: Break up long blocks. Web blocks should be 2 to 4 lines. A wall of text is daunting on a screen. White space between blocks makes the content feel more open.

Step 4: Use headings and bullet points. Split your content into sections with clear headings. Use bullet points for lists instead of putting them in body text. These formatting choices help scanners find the info they need.

Step 5: Read it as if you know nothing about the topic. If a line needs background knowledge to grasp, add a brief note or link to a guide. Do not assume the reader shares your skill.

Making technical content too simple. The goal is not to write at a 5th grade level for all readers. If your readers are engineers, a higher level is fine. Match the reading level to your target group, not to an arbitrary number.

Chasing the score instead of clarity. A high reading ease score does not mean good writing. Short, choppy lines can score well but feel robotic. Aim for natural, clear writing that flows well when read aloud.

Skipping the most key pages. Start with pages that drive sales: your home page, pricing page, and product pages. Blog posts matter, but the pages that bring in revenue should be readable first.

After rewriting, run a new SiteCurl scan. Your reading ease score should rise. Aim for 60 or above for general readers. For technical readers, 50 or above is fine.

Read the revised content aloud. If it sounds natural and you do not stumble, the reading ease is likely good no matter the exact score.

Reading ease is about valuing your reader's time. Simpler writing is not weaker writing. It is clearer writing. Shorten lines, choose common words, and break up long blocks. Your users will read more, stay longer, and convert at higher rates.