About

English syllable counting is notoriously difficult because spelling does not strictly correlate with pronunciation. Silent 'e's, diphthongs (like "oi" in coin), and regional dialects create edge cases. This tool uses a heuristic algorithm based on the Moby Hyphenator logic to estimate syllable counts and visual breaks. It is essential for poets working within strict meters (Haiku, Sonnet) and copywriters aiming for specific readability scores. The tool calculates the Flesch-Kincaid Reading Ease to determine if your text is suitable for a 5th-grade student or a PhD candidate.

Formulas

The readability score is calculated using the Flesch Reading Ease formula:

Score = 206.835 − (1.015 × Total WordsTotal Sentences) − (84.6 × Total SyllablesTotal Words)

Where a sentence is defined by punctuation marks (. ! ?).

Reference Data

Score Range	School Level	Notes
90 − 100	5th Grade	Very Easy. Conversational English.
80 − 90	6th Grade	Easy to read.
60 − 70	8th - 9th Grade	Standard/Plain English.
30 − 50	College	Difficult. Academic papers.
0 − 30	Graduate	Very Confusing. Legal docs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Algorithms count based on vowel clusters and silent letter rules. Some words like "fire" or "hour" can be pronounced as 1 or 2 syllables depending on your dialect. This tool defaults to standard dictionary definitions where possible.

A Haiku is a Japanese poetic form consisting of three phrases with a 5, 7, 5 syllable structure. This tool validates each line individually.

The tool distinguishes between "ed" that adds a syllable (e.g., 'wanted') and "ed" that does not (e.g., 'jumped').

No. The regex rules for vowel clusters and silent letters are strictly tuned for English syntax.