Too easy
Known vocabulary dominates and the chapter may be better for relaxed reading than focused study.
Check before you read
English reading level checker for books
Is this English book too hard for me? Add an EPUB or TXT file below to see its vocabulary level, CEFR word bands, and hardest words for free. Your file never leaves your device.
Free tool
Check any book’s English level
Choose an EPUB or TXT file. You get the vocabulary level, word bands, and the hardest words in a few seconds.Your file stays on your device. It is read in your browser and never uploaded.
Estimated level
- Total words
- Different words
- Known at B1
- Known at B2
- Average sentence
- Reading time
Vocabulary by CEFR band
Share of all the words in the book, by how common each word is.
Hardest frequent words
B2–C2 words that appear at least 3 times (names left out). Learn these first.
In the TeakReader app
See the rest of this book’s analysis
- Difficulty for each chapter, so you know where it gets hard
- Your personal level: which of these words you already know
- Meanings and translations for every word, with one tap while you read
- Flashcards and games made from this book’s hard words
Import the same EPUB in the app. It’s free.
How it works: each word is matched to a frequency list and grouped into CEFR-style bands (A1 = most common 5,000 words, up to C2). The level is an estimate based on vocabulary only, not an official CEFR test. Grammar, style, and topic can make a book feel harder.
Quick answer
How to check the reading level of a book
Check how many of the book’s words you already know. If you know about 95–98% of the running words, you can usually read it comfortably.
- Add the book to the checker above. Or open it in TeakReader: search the free Project Gutenberg library or import your own EPUB.
- Look at the CEFR vocabulary distribution. A book with most words in A1–B1 is easier than one with many C1–C2 or rare words.
- Check the first chapter’s unknown words. A few unknown words per page is fine; many per paragraph means the book is too hard for now.
See real examples: The Wizard of Oz (A2–B1), Dracula (B2), and Jane Eyre (B2–C1), or compare 24 classics by reading level.
The reading-level problem
It is hard to know whether an English book is too easy, too hard, or just right.
Learners often choose books by title, reputation, or recommendations. That can work, but a famous classic can still be too difficult today, and a familiar story can hide dense vocabulary.
TeakReader makes the decision more concrete by connecting reading readiness to your known words, unknown words, CEFR vocabulary, and chapter-level stats.
Vocabulary shape
See the CEFR shape of the vocabulary before you study.
TeakReader can show A1-C2 vocabulary distribution, top unknown words, and Known, Learning, Ignored, and Unknown states for processed books and subtitle sets.
This is not an official CEFR test. It is a practical reading signal that helps you choose material and decide what to review next.
Chapter comprehensionUnknown-word countsCEFR distributionTop unknown wordsStudy buttonsShared vocabulary memory
Chapter readiness
Check chapter comprehension before you start reading.
A whole book can feel intimidating, but chapter-level stats make the next step smaller. TeakReader can show comprehension, unknown counts, and Study buttons so you can choose an easy win or prepare for a harder section.
What the signal helps you decide
Pick the next book or chapter with less guesswork.
Reading level is not only a label like beginner, intermediate, or advanced. It depends on the words you already know and the words that appear often in the material you picked.
Readable challenge
Most words are familiar, with enough unknown vocabulary to make the chapter worth studying.
Too hard today
Unknown words appear often enough that a short study session first may make reading smoother.
Books, movies, and TV
Use the same reading-readiness signal across books and subtitles.
TeakReader tracks vocabulary across EPUB books, Project Gutenberg classics, movies, and TV subtitles. A word learned while reading can make subtitle vocabulary easier later, and subtitle study can help a future chapter feel more readable.
Personal vocabulary memory
Your reading signal changes as your vocabulary grows.
Known, Learning, and Ignored decisions affect future stats. The more you read and review, the more useful TeakReader's unknown-word and comprehension signals can become.
Study what matters next
Turn reading-level signals into a study session.
Once TeakReader surfaces top unknown words or a chapter Study button, you can review vocabulary from the material itself. That is more useful than starting with a blank deck or a generic list.
CEFR guardrail
CEFR stats are a reading aid, not a certificate.
TeakReader can classify and display vocabulary by CEFR levels, but it is not an official CEFR exam, placement test, or certificate. The point is practical: choose material, spot unknown words, and study before the book becomes frustrating.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is this reading level checker free?
Yes. The checker on this page is free and needs no account. Your EPUB or TXT file is read in your browser and is never uploaded. The TeakReader app adds chapter difficulty, your personal level, and meanings for every word.
Why can’t the checker read my Kindle or Apple Books file?
Books bought from Kindle, Apple Books, and most other stores are DRM-protected, so no outside tool can read their text. The checker works with DRM-free EPUB and TXT files, such as the free classics on Project Gutenberg.
Can TeakReader check whether an English book is too hard for me?
Yes. For processed books, TeakReader can show chapter comprehension, unknown-word counts, CEFR vocabulary distribution, and top unknown words so you can decide what to read or study next.
How do I check the reading level of a book?
Check what share of the book’s running words you already know. Around 95–98% usually means comfortable reading. TeakReader shows a book’s CEFR vocabulary distribution and your unknown words per chapter, so you can see this before you start.
Is TeakReader an official CEFR test?
No. TeakReader is not an official CEFR exam, certificate, or placement test. It uses CEFR vocabulary information as a practical reading and study signal.
Can TeakReader show which chapters are easier or harder?
Yes. For processed books, TeakReader can show chapter-level comprehension, unknown-word counts, and Study buttons.
Can I practice top unknown words with games before reading?
Yes. Unknown words from any book can be reviewed via flashcards or practiced in Meaning Match and Spelling Forge word games in the Arcade.
Can I see my top unknown words?
Yes. TeakReader can surface frequency-ranked unknown words so you can study vocabulary that appears often in the material you chose.
Does this work with movies and TV subtitles too?
Yes. TeakReader can process movie and TV subtitle vocabulary and connect it to the same vocabulary memory used for books.
Can I study words by CEFR level?
TeakReader shows CEFR vocabulary stats and helps prioritize study. Use the app flow available for your processed book or subtitle set to review the words most worth learning next.
Can my reading level improve over time in TeakReader?
Yes. As you mark words Known, Learning, or Ignored and review vocabulary, TeakReader's future comprehension and unknown-word signals become more accurate.
Does TeakReader work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. TeakReader is available on iPhone, iPad, and supported M-series Macs through the App Store, and on Android through Google Play.
Ready to read
Choose English books with better reading signals.
Download TeakReader on the App Store or Google Play for iPhone, iPad, supported M-series Macs, and Android.