The Flesch Reading Ease readability formula is used in business, industry and government as well as education, to score materials from the upper elementary level on through college levels.

The formula takes into consideration (1) the total number of words, (2) the number syllables, and (3) the total number of sentences.

Unlike most formulas which report their results as grade-level scores, the Flesch Reading Ease formula reports its results on a difficulty scale ranging from 0 to 100.

The higher the number readability scale score, the easier the material. For example, a readability scale score between 90 and 100 indicates the material is appropriate at the 5th grade level, whereas a score between 0 and 30 indicates material requiring the reader be a college graduate.

Sample 1: Type: News article Source: Reuters Title of article: Nestle is thinking about selling its US candy business... Total # of words: 507 Total syllables in text: 827 Total # of sentences: 33 Flesch Reading Ease Score: 55.9 Reading level: fairly difficult to read Age of Reader: 14-15 year olds

Sample 2: Type: Employee Handbook Source: HR360.com Title of manual: Employee Handbook: A Guide for Our Employees Sample # of words: 3,200 Total syllables in text: 5384 Total # of sentences: 175 Flesch Reading Ease Score: 47 Reading level: difficult to read Age of Reader: 17-18 year olds

Sample 3: Type: Movie Review Source: rollingstone.com Title of article: 'Cars 3' Review: Series Finally Delivers a Movie Deserving of Pixar Name Sample # of words: 847 Total syllables in text: 1332 Total # of sentences: 37 Flesch Reading Ease Score: 52 Reading level: fairly difficult to read Age of Reader: 17-18 year olds

Sample 4: Type: Fiction Novel Source: Entertainment Weekly Title of article: Excerpt from Stephen King’s new book 'Finders Keepers' Total # of words: 3,525 Total syllables in text: 4,785 Total # of sentences: 368 Flesch Reading Ease Score: 83.5 Reading level: easy to read Age of Reader: 8-9 year olds

Sample 5: Type: Young Adult Novel Source: BookBrowse.com Title of article: Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets (Book Excerpt) Total # of words: 1,996 Total syllables in text: 2,834 Total # of sentences: 148 Flesch Reading Ease Score: 75 Reading level: fairly easy to read Age of Reader: 11-13 year olds

Sample 6: Type: Article Source: Popular Science Title of article: Gray seals are making a huge comeback Total # of words: 569 Total syllables in text: 906 Total # of sentences: 36 Flesch Reading Ease Score: 55 Reading level: fairly difficult to read Age of Reader: 15-17 year olds