Ever wanted to know the reading level of a passage?

Copy a portion of the material being read into Microsoft word. The Microsoft or works program has a built in grade reader. The program will automatically scan the passage and give you the reading level. This sometimes is the easiest method to use. I simply type about 100 words of a text. This does depend on expecting the writer to use the same reading level throughout the text. Word uses a formula called the Flesh-Kincaid Readability Formula.


Here is the actual formula:

1. Select a few paragraphs to use as your base.
2. Calculate the average number of words per sentence. Multiply the result by 0.39
3. Calculate the average number of syllables in words (count and divide). Multiply the result by 11.8
4. Add the two results together
5. Subtract 15.59
The result will be a number that equates to a grade level. For example, a 6.5 is a sixth grade reading level result.