1. What is the SMOG Readability Index?

The SMOG (Simple Measure of Gobbledygook) index estimates the years of education needed to understand a piece of writing. It's widely used to assess the readability of health information and other technical materials.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the SMOG formula:

Where:

• Polysyllabic words — Words with three or more syllables
• 30 sentences — Standard sample size for SMOG calculation

Explanation: The formula estimates reading difficulty based on the number of complex words in a text sample.

3. Importance of Readability Assessment

Details: SMOG helps ensure written materials match the reading level of the target audience, which is crucial for effective communication in healthcare, education, and public information.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Count the number of polysyllabic words (3+ syllables) in a 30-sentence sample of your text and enter the total count. The calculator will compute the SMOG index.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a good SMOG score?
A: For general public materials, aim for ≤8 (8th grade level). Technical documents may score higher (10-12).

Q2: How accurate is SMOG?
A: SMOG is one of the most accurate readability formulas, correlating well with comprehension tests.

Q3: What counts as a polysyllabic word?
A: Any word with three or more syllables (e.g., "calculator" = 4 syllables).

Q4: Can I use fewer than 30 sentences?
A: For accurate results, use exactly 30 sentences as specified in the original formula.

Q5: How does SMOG compare to other readability tests?
A: SMOG tends to give higher grade estimates than Flesch-Kincaid but is considered more accurate for health materials.