Count it. Then make it easier to read.
Paste your text for an instant word and character count, reading time, and a readability report: Flesch reading ease, grade level, long sentences and likely passive voice, with the worst sentences listed.
Reading time assumes 238 words per minute and speaking time 150. Readability uses the Flesch reading-ease and Flesch-Kincaid grade formulas for English; syllables are estimated, so scores can differ slightly from other tools.
Two checks every draft
should pass
Length tells you whether a page can cover the topic. Readability tells you whether anyone will get through it. This checks both in the same place, as you type.
Word and character count
Words, characters with and without spaces, sentences and paragraphs, updated live as you type or paste.
Reading and speaking time
Estimated at 238 words per minute for reading and 150 for speaking, useful for blog posts, scripts and presentations.
Flesch reading ease
The classic 0 to 100 score: higher is easier. Web content usually reads best at 60 or above.
Grade level
The Flesch-Kincaid grade shows roughly how many years of school a reader needs to follow the text comfortably.
Long and passive sentences
Counts sentences over 25 words and likely passive constructions, and lists the longest ones so you know what to rewrite.
Clear next steps
Instead of just a number, you get the two or three changes that will improve the score the most.
How to use the word count and readability checker
- Paste your text or start typing; counts update instantly.
- Once you pass 30 words, the readability report appears below the counts.
- Read the What to fix first list, then rewrite the longest sentences it shows.
- Watch the Flesch score move as you edit.
Does word count matter for SEO?
Google has said word count is not a ranking factor. Long pages rank well when the topic needs depth, and short pages rank well when the answer is short. The useful question is whether your page answers the search more completely than the pages already ranking.
A practical way to use a word count: check the length of the top-ranking pages for your keyword and treat their range as a sense of how much depth searchers expect, not a number to beat.
Why readability matters for SEO
Readability is not a direct ranking signal either, but it shapes how people use the page. Clear writing gets read, understood and shared; dense writing gets skimmed and abandoned. It also helps AI search: short, direct sentences are easier for AI systems to quote accurately.
How the Flesch score works
Flesch reading ease uses two things: average sentence length and average syllables per word. Scores of 60 to 70 are considered plain English. Technical or academic writing often scores below 50.
Three edits that raise the score fastest
Split long sentences. Anything over 25 words usually hides two ideas.
Use shorter words. “Use” instead of “utilise”, “help” instead of “facilitate”.
Prefer active voice. “The editor reviewed the report” is shorter and clearer than “The report was reviewed by the editor”.
Checking keyword repetition as well? Run the same text through the keyword density checker.
Frequently asked questions
How many words should a blog post be for SEO?
There is no ideal length. Google does not rank pages by word count. Look at the pages ranking for your keyword and cover the topic at least as completely, without padding.
What is a good Flesch reading ease score?
For general web content, 60 or higher is a good target, which roughly equals plain English. Specialist audiences can handle lower scores, but shorter sentences help every reader.
How is reading time calculated?
Reading time is the word count divided by 238 words per minute, a commonly cited average silent reading speed for adults. Speaking time uses 150 words per minute.
Does the readability score work for languages other than English?
The word and character counts work for any language using Latin letters. The Flesch formulas were built for English, so readability scores for other languages are only a rough guide.
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