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Readability Analysis Tool (RAT)

github.com

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Spec score 7.6 #17 of 25 in Readability Checkers

What it is

Readability Analysis Tool (RAT) checks German text for readability anomalies using configurable rules. It accepts .docx files and marks detected issues as comments in a separate copy with a -rat.docx suffix, leaving the original intact. RAT also creates an HTML report with statistics, readability formulas, anomalies, and a quality gate indicating whether text may be too trivial or difficult. Its documented formulas are Flesch and Wiener Sachtextformel. Report details can include reading and speaking time, sentence and word counts, average word and sentence measures, common parts of speech, and configured keyword percentages. Users can adjust anomaly rules and thresholds; the report records anomalies they reject as false positives or mark as incorporated. RAT runs from the command line using a Java JAR, with configuration and output-directory options. The project lists performance of 40 seconds for 10,000 words, or 50 pages. It runs on Linux and Windows, uses Java, UIMA, and DKPro Core, and is licensed under GPLv3.

Spec sheet

Purpose
RAT detects readability anomalies in text based on readability rules, similar to bug patterns in static code analysis.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
License
The project lists its license as GPLv3.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Headquarters
Munich, GermanyRead 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Founded
2005Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
Annotations
RAT annotates detected anomalies as comments in a .docx copy with a -rat.docx suffix, preserving the original document.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Configurable rules
Anomaly rules and thresholds can be configured, and the report records anomalies users declined as false positives or incorporated.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Document support
The documented supported file type is .docx.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Execution
RAT is invoked from the command line with a Java JAR and accepts configuration and output-directory options.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Language
The documented readability rules support German.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Notable limits
The project documentation lists German rules and .docx input, and describes command-line execution rather than a hosted web interface.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Performance
The project lists performance as 40 seconds for 10,000 words, or 50 pages.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Quality gate
The quality gate aggregates formulas, statistics, and anomalies to indicate whether text is too trivial or too hard to understand.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Readability formulas
The documented formulas are Flesch and Wiener Sachtextformel.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Reports
RAT creates an HTML report with text statistics, readability formulas, anomalies, and a quality gate.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Statistics
The report includes reading and speaking time, sentence and word counts, average word and sentence measures, common parts of speech, and configured keyword percentages.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Technology
The listed technologies are Java, UIMA, and DKPro Core.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Plans and prices

Readability Analysis Tool (RAT) Free GPLv3 open-source project · supports .docx · German readability rules Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every Readability Analysis Tool (RAT) plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Preserves the original .docx document
  • Creates an HTML report with a quality gate
  • Rules and thresholds are configurable
  • Free GPLv3-licensed software

Limits

  • Documented rules support German
  • Documented input is limited to .docx
  • Runs from the command line, not a hosted interface

Who it suits

RAT suits users checking German .docx text who are comfortable running command-line Java software. It can help teams that want configurable rules and an HTML quality report.

Verdict

RAT provides rule-based German readability checks, annotated copies, and detailed reports at no cost. Its documented scope is limited to .docx input and command-line execution.

Where Specifiction places it

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