How to Simplify Complex Text for Better Readability (Using AI)

You've written a brilliant article, paper, or report. There's just one problem: it's too dense. The average American reads at a 7th to 8th-grade level. If your content is written at a college level—filled with passive voice, jargon, and winding sentences—most of your audience will abandon it.

Why Readability Matters

Readability isn't about 'dumbing down' your content; it's about removing friction. Search engines like Google prioritize content that answers user questions clearly and concisely. If a user lands on your page and immediately bounces because the text is impenetrable, your SEO rankings will suffer.

The Rules of Plain Language

To simplify text manually, you must follow the principles of plain language. Replace complex words ('utilize') with simple ones ('use'). Break long sentences (over 20 words) into two. Convert passive voice ('The decision was made by the board') to active voice ('The board decided').

Using AI to Simplify Text Instantly

Manually rewriting a 1,000-word document takes hours. An AI Text Simplifier does it in seconds while preserving your core meaning. Instead of just swapping synonyms like traditional paraphrasing tools, LLM-based AI understands the context and restructures entire paragraphs for maximum clarity.

Targeting Specific Grade Levels

Different audiences require different reading levels. A specialized AI simplifier lets you select your target audience. You can rewrite an academic journal abstract to an 8th-grade level for a general blog post, or simplify medical instructions to a 6th-grade level for patient handouts.

The Best Free Tool

The AI Text Simplifier on Zerocosttools allows you to paste up to 5,000 words and choose your exact target reading level—from 3rd grade up to college. It instantly rewrites the text, improving your Flesch-Kincaid score. Completely free, no login required.