1. What is the SMOG 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 3 or more syllables
• 30 sentences — Standard sample size for SMOG calculation

Explanation: The formula calculates the square root of polysyllabic word count and adds 3 to estimate the required reading grade level.

3. Importance of Readability Scores

Details: Readability scores help ensure written materials match the audience's reading level, which is crucial for effective communication in healthcare, education, and public information.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Count all polysyllabic words (3+ syllables) in a 30-sentence sample of your text and enter the total count. The calculator will estimate the required reading grade level.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's considered a good SMOG score?
A: For general public materials, aim for ≤8. For professional audiences, ≤12 may be acceptable.

Q2: How does SMOG compare to other readability tests?
A: SMOG is more accurate than Flesch-Kincaid for technical materials as it focuses on complex words.

Q3: Should proper nouns be counted?
A: Yes, include all polysyllabic words regardless of type (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.).

Q4: What if my text has fewer than 30 sentences?
A: Either extend your sample or use the count from available sentences (though less accurate).

Q5: Are there automated tools for SMOG calculation?
A: Yes, but manual counting is more accurate as syllable counting algorithms can make errors.