Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level

Dec 9, 2024
readability

The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level test takes a similar approach to Flesch reading ease and was developed by Rudolf Flesch and Peter Kincaid. The Flesh-Kincaid test uses the same variables (total word, sentence, and syllable counts) but outputs a score that corresponds to U.S. grade level. Alternatively, the score can be understood as number of years of education required to understand a text.


0.39(total wordstotal sentences)+11.8(total syllablestotal words)15.590.39\left(\frac{\text{total words}}{\text{total sentences}}\right) + 11.8\left(\frac{\text{total syllables}}{\text{total words}}\right) - 15.59

For example, a Flesch-Kincaid score of 5 corresponds to roughly U.S. 5th grade education, and a score of 18 corresponds to 18 years of education (roughly a graduate-level education).