Hemingway Editor
WritingMake your writing bold and clear. Highlights complex sentences and passive voice.
About Hemingway Editor
Make your writing bold and clear. Highlights complex sentences and passive voice.
Key Features
- ✓Readability Grade Level: Scores your text on a grade-level scale — aim for grade 9 or below for broad accessibility.
- ✓Color-Coded Highlights: Yellow (hard sentences), red (very complex), purple (simpler alternatives), blue (adverbs), green (passive voice).
- ✓Sentence Structure Analysis: Identifies overly long or convoluted sentences that lose readers.
- ✓Word & Character Count: Built-in counting with reading time estimates and paragraph stats.
- ✓AI Rewriting (Plus): One-click fixes for highlighted issues — simplify sentences, remove passive voice, replace weak words.
- ✓Direct Publishing: Publish directly to WordPress and Medium from the desktop app.
- ✓Format Support: Import and export HTML, Markdown, and plain text with formatting preserved.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Web (Free) | See official pricing | Full readability analysis, color-coded highlights, word count, basic editing |
| Desktop App | See official pricing | Offline editing, save & export, direct publish to WordPress/Medium |
| Hemingway Plus | See official pricing | AI-powered rewriting, one-click sentence fixes, advanced suggestions |
Some pricing plans have not been verified against official sources recently. Confirm on the official pricing page before purchasing.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- ✅ Incredibly simple — paste text and get instant feedback
- ✅ Color-coded system is intuitive and easy to understand
- ✅ Free web version requires no signup
- ✅ Improves writing habits over time through consistent feedback
- ✅ Desktop app one-time purchase is great value
- ✅ Perfect for bloggers, journalists, and content writers
⚠️ Cons
- ⚠️ Doesn't check grammar or spelling — only style and readability
- ⚠️ Can be overly prescriptive — complex sentences aren't always bad
- ⚠️ Free web version doesn't save your work
- ⚠️ No browser extension — must paste text manually
- ⚠️ Academic/technical writing may naturally score higher grade levels
Use Cases
Blog and Content Writing
Write clear, engaging blog posts by identifying overly complex sentences, passive voice, and unnecessary adverbs that lose readers.
Email and Marketing Copy
Craft concise email campaigns and marketing copy with a readability score that ensures broad audience comprehension.
Academic Paper Editing
Refine academic papers to meet readability targets while maintaining scholarly rigor, using color-coded highlights for targeted improvements.
Alternatives
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hemingway Editor free?
The web version at hemingwayapp.com is completely free with full readability analysis. The desktop app costs $19.99 (one-time) for offline use and direct publishing. Hemingway Plus at $10/month adds AI-powered rewriting and one-click sentence fixes.
Does Hemingway check grammar?
No, Hemingway Editor focuses on readability and style — not grammar or spelling. It highlights complex sentences, passive voice, adverbs, and phrases with simpler alternatives. Pair it with Grammarly for comprehensive editing that covers both grammar and style.
What readability score should I aim for?
Hemingway recommends a grade 9 or below for clear, accessible writing. Grade 9 means a 14-15 year old can understand it. Most popular novels and news articles score between grade 4-8. Academic papers may naturally score higher, but aim for the lowest grade level that maintains your message.