Reading level
Page text reads at or below a 7th grade level so most users can understand it.
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About
Readability measures how easy text is to understand by looking at words and sentences. Simple words, short sentences, clear design and legible fonts make text easier to read. Formulas like the Automated Readability Index (ARI) and Flesch-Kincaid estimate the U.S. school grade a reader needs to understand a text.
ScanGov measures the main text of each page with ARI, which uses the average number of characters per word and words per sentence. A page passes when its rounded ARI score is 8 or below, about a 7th grade reading level. Pages that are not in English, or that have no measurable text, are not scored.
Risks
Users struggle to understand your content.
Why it's important
Improves communication by helping readers quickly understand messages without confusion or frustration.
User stories
As a user reading content on a web page, I want the text to have high readability through clear content and optimal presentation so that I can understand and process the information with minimal effort and maximum comprehension.
Error
ScanGov messaging when a site fails a standard:
Automated Readability Index score is above 8 (higher than 7th grade reading level).
Guidance
- 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (IDEA)
- Automated Readability Index (ARI)
- Flesch-Kincaid (FK)
- U.S. Federal Website Standards
- Plain Writing Act of 2010
Links
- Readability (Wikipedia)
Indicators
On this page