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Coleman-Liau Index Calculator
Advanced readability analysis based on character count - More accurate for modern texts
What is the Coleman-Liau Index?
The Coleman-Liau Index (CLI) calculates readability based on characters per word and words per sentence, rather than syllable counting. This makes it more reliable for modern texts, especially those with technical terms or proper nouns. The score indicates the U.S. grade level needed to understand the text.
Enter Your Content
0
Coleman-Liau Index
Grade Level
0
Total Words
0
Sentences
0
Characters
0
Avg Chars/Word
L Value
0
Average letters per 100 words
S Value
0
Average sentences per 100 words
What This Means
Readability Benchmarks
Very Easy
CLI: 5-8 (Elementary/Middle School)
📚
Easy
CLI: 9-12 (High School)
📖
Standard
CLI: 13-16 (College)
🎓
Difficult
CLI: 17+ (Graduate/Professional)
📕
How to Improve Your Score
Use Shorter Words
CLI is character-based, so shorter words lower your score. Use "buy" instead of "purchase", "use" instead of "utilize".
Break Up Sentences
Shorter sentences significantly improve CLI scores. Aim for 15-20 words per sentence on average.
Remove Redundancy
Cut unnecessary words and phrases. "In order to" becomes "to", "due to the fact that" becomes "because".
Simplify Technical Terms
When possible, explain complex terms with simpler language or provide context to aid understanding.
The Coleman-Liau Formula
CLI = 0.0588 × L - 0.296 × S - 15.8
Where:
• L = Average number of letters per 100 words
• S = Average number of sentences per 100 words
Your Calculation:
Where:
• L = Average number of letters per 100 words
• S = Average number of sentences per 100 words
Your Calculation:
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