Simplify Text (Readability)

Text simplification is the process of making writing easier to understand by replacing complex words with simpler alternatives and breaking down long, complicated sentences. It matters because clear communication reaches more people. Studies show that readers process simple words 20-30% faster than complex ones. Whether you're writing business emails, marketing copy, or technical documentation, simpler text improves comprehension, engagement, and action rates. Plain language isn't 'dumbing down'—it's respecting your reader's time and cognitive load.

The tool uses syllable counting algorithms to identify complex words (those with 4 or more syllables) and highlights them in purple. It also detects long sentences (20+ words) with a yellow background indicator. The tool calculates the Flesch-Kincaid readability score, which measures how easy your text is to read on a 0-100 scale (higher = easier). You can paste text, upload files (.txt, .md), enable batch mode for paragraph-by-paragraph analysis, or use comparison mode to see original vs. analyzed text side-by-side. All processing happens locally in your browser—no data is sent to any server.

A word is flagged as complex if it has 4 or more syllables. For example: 'utilitarian' (6 syllables), 'optimization' (5 syllables), and 'significantly' (5 syllables) are all complex. In contrast, 'use' (1 syllable), 'improve' (2 syllables), and 'important' (3 syllables) are not. This threshold is based on readability research showing that polysyllabic words slow reading speed and reduce comprehension, especially for general audiences. The tool provides syllable counts on hover so you can verify the analysis and make informed editing decisions.

Use this tool whenever you're writing for a broad audience or need to improve clarity. Perfect scenarios include: editing marketing copy to boost conversion rates, simplifying business communications for better team understanding, preparing content for ESL (English as a Second Language) readers, making technical documentation more accessible, checking blog posts for SEO-friendly readability scores, and revising academic papers to comply with plain language policies. If you're unsure whether your text is too complex, run it through this tool—it'll show you exactly which words and sentences need attention.

Yes! Click the Upload button to load .txt or .md files directly. The tool reads your file content and instantly analyzes it for complex words, long sentences, and readability metrics. This is especially useful for analyzing entire articles, reports, or documentation files without copy-pasting. After uploading, you can edit the text in the tool, view statistics, enable comparison mode, and download the analyzed version. File processing happens 100% locally in your browser—your documents never leave your device, ensuring complete privacy.

Batch Mode processes your text paragraph-by-paragraph instead of as one continuous block. This is helpful when analyzing documents with multiple distinct sections—like emails with separate topics, blog posts with different sections, or reports with multiple chapters. Enable it by checking the 'Batch Mode' checkbox in the controls panel. Each paragraph will be analyzed independently, making it easier to identify which specific sections have readability issues. Statistics will still aggregate across the entire document for a comprehensive overview.

Absolutely. All text analysis happens entirely in your browser using JavaScript. Your text never leaves your device, isn't uploaded to any server, and isn't stored anywhere. We don't track, log, or save your content. This is a 100% client-side tool, meaning you can even use it offline once the page loads. Whether you're analyzing confidential business documents, personal writing, or sensitive information, your data remains completely private. You can verify this by checking your browser's Network tab—no text data is transmitted.

The tool calculates the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease score (0-100). Higher scores = easier to read. 90-100: Very easy (5th grade level). 80-89: Easy (6th grade). 70-79: Fairly easy (7th grade). 60-69: Standard (8th-9th grade). 50-59: Fairly difficult (10th-12th grade). 30-49: Difficult (college level). 0-29: Very difficult (graduate level). For general audiences, aim for 60+ (8th-9th grade). Business writing should target 50-70. Legal/academic writing often scores 30-50. The tool also shows complexity percentage (how many words are complex), average syllables per word, and long sentence count.

1. Use everyday words: Replace 'utilize' with 'use', 'facilitate' with 'help', 'commence' with 'start'. 2. Keep sentences short: Aim for 15-20 words per sentence (this tool flags 20+). 3. Use active voice: 'We analyzed the data' (active) instead of 'The data was analyzed' (passive). 4. Cut unnecessary words: Remove filler like 'basically', 'actually', 'in order to'. 5. Use concrete examples: Abstract concepts confuse—specific examples clarify. 6. Test your work: Run text through this tool regularly to catch complexity creep. Remember: simple ≠ simplistic. You can convey sophisticated ideas with straightforward language.

Purple highlights = complex words (4+ syllables)—consider replacing with shorter synonyms. Yellow backgrounds = long sentences (20+ words)—try breaking into 2-3 shorter sentences. Statistics panel shows: Total Words, Complex Words count, Complexity % (target <15% for general readers), Readability Score (target 60+ for accessibility), Avg Syllables (target <1.7), Long Sentences (minimize these), and Reading Time. Comparison Mode lets you see original vs. analyzed text side-by-side. Focus on reducing purple highlights and yellow sections first—these have the biggest impact on readability.