this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2026
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I've seen this stat floated a thousand times, from the same single source.
I've yet to have anyone lay out what 8th grade reading level statement 54% of the population can't understand.
It’s worth noting that the editorial standards set for most news outlets are at the 6th grade reading level.
Any higher and news outlets start to severely limit their potential audience.
Checking out readability formulas, like the Flesch‑Kincaid grade level formula, should help to clear things up a bit. But in general, a 6th grade reading level is where concrete language, moderate sentence length, and single step reasoning all align. Adding abstract vocab, multiple embedded clauses, or deep cultural references push text above a 6th grade level.