What It Means
A Lexile level is a measure on the Lexile Framework for Reading, made by MetaMetrics, written as a number followed by L, such as 850L. A Lexile reader measure describes how well a student reads and comes from a reading test, while a Lexile text measure describes how hard a book or article is to understand. Because both sit on the same scale, a parent or teacher can look for books near a child's measure. Measures below 0L are written with BR, for beginning reader.
Try It: Find a Reading Range and Check a Book
Type your child's Lexile reader measure from a school report and a book's Lexile text measure. Example numbers are filled in.
L
L
This book sits inside the range, where MetaMetrics says a reader is likely to understand about 75 percent on their own.
This book is above the range. It may suit reading together more than reading alone.
This book is below the range, which can be fine for easy, enjoyable reading.
How Parents Say It
- "His report says 640L. What does that even mean?"
- "The library lets you search books by Lexile."
- "She's reading BR books right now."
The Breakdown
How Lexile measures show up as children grow
| Stage | What you'll see | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Beginning readers | Measures below 0L, written with BR, such as BR50L; a larger number after BR means an easier text | MetaMetrics |
| School years | A reader measure on a reading test report, written as a number with L | MetaMetrics |
| Choosing books | A range from 100L below to 50L above the reader measure | MetaMetrics |
| Advanced readers | Measures above 1600L | MetaMetrics |
Worked example. A child's report shows 600L. Their range runs from 500L to 650L. A book measured at 620L is inside it, a 700L book is above it, and a 450L book is below it.
Not a grade level. MetaMetrics says there's no direct match between a Lexile measure and a single grade. A reader measure comes from a reading comprehension test, so it describes that one skill.
When to talk to the teacher. If your child's measure stays flat across several reports, or books in their range still seem hard, ask the teacher what the reading test showed and what support is planned.
Good to Know
A Lexile text measure rates how hard a text is to read, not whether its subject suits your child's age, so check the content too. MetaMetrics' range of 100L below to 50L above is a starting point for reading on one's own, and Buhata's suggestion: books above it can still work well when you read them together. Reader measures come from the test your child's school uses, so ask the school which test produced the number on the report.
FAQ
What does the L in a Lexile measure mean?
It marks the number as a Lexile measure, as in 850L. Measures below 0L carry BR, for beginning reader, and MetaMetrics says a larger number after BR means an easier text.
What Lexile level should my child be at for their grade?
MetaMetrics says no Lexile measure corresponds directly to one grade. Ask your child's teacher how their measure compares with what the school expects, and use the reading range to choose books.
How do I find books at my child's Lexile level?
Take the reader measure from the school report, then look for books from 100L below to 50L above it, the range MetaMetrics suggests for reading alone.
Do It in Buhata
Reminders and Tasks
Add a Task in Buhata before each library trip with your child's Lexile range in the title, so you can check books against it on the shelf.
Open BuhataRelated Terms and Categories
- Guided reading level
A letter from A to Z, most often from Fountas and Pinnell's text gradient, that a teacher uses to match a child with books for small-group guided reading.
- MAP test
NWEA's MAP Growth, a computer-adaptive test schools give a few times a year to measure growth in reading, math and other subjects on a scale called RIT.
- Standardized testing
Tests given and scored the same way for every student; in U.S. public schools, mainly the yearly state tests in reading, math and science that ESSA requires.
- Reading log
A simple record, often sent home by a teacher, where a child notes what they read, for how long or how many pages, sometimes with a parent's signature.
- Decodable books
Simple books for beginning readers written mostly with the letter-sound patterns a child has already been taught, so most words can be sounded out.
- Sight words
Words a reader knows instantly, without sounding them out; schools also use it for common words like "the" and "said" that children practice early.
Sources
MetaMetrics, "Lexile Educator Guide: What Is the Lexile Framework?"; MetaMetrics, "Lexile Librarian Guide: What Are Lexile Measures?"; MetaMetrics, "Lexile Measures and Grade Levels" (FAQ); MetaMetrics, "Lexile Measures and Learning: Frequently Asked Questions"; MetaMetrics Partner Help, "Lexile Reading and Text Measures"
- lexile.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Lexile-Educator-Guide-MM0066W.pdf
- lexile.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Lexile-Librarian-Guide.pdf
- lexile.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/T1.4.FAQ_LM-and-Grade-Levels.pdf
- metametricsinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/FAQs-Lexile-Measures-and-Learning.pdf
- partnerhelp.metametricsinc.com/concept/lexile_reading_and_text_measures.html
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