Translation Reading Levels

Reading at approximate grade-level

    Translation — Grade Level

    • KJV — 12

    • RSV — 12

    • NRSV — 11

    • NASB — 11

    • ESV — 10

    • HCSB — 7-8

    • NIV — 7-8

    • CEB — 7

    • CSB — 7

    • NKJV — 7

    • NLT — 6

    • GW — 5

    • Message — 4-5

    • NCV — 3

    • NIrV — 3

    Keep in mind that not everyone agrees about the grade level of every translation or the formulas used to calculate them. These grade levels above are offered as general guidelines, and wherever possible, are taken from information provided by the publishers of the various translations, or the generally accepted grade level or range of grade levels.

    This chart does not take into account mitigating factors such as reading English as a second language. If you are new to English, you may want to check out one of these

    Non-English Bible Translations