SMOG Readability
Using the SMOG Calculator:
The easiest method to establish the readability level of a health resource or text is to use the SMOG calculator. The SMOG was developed by Harry McLaughlin PH.D.
Click on the link below to access the calculator created by onlineutility.org:
https://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp
If you want to read more in detailed information about the SMOG readability formula, and how to use it with your health resources, you can review this resource by the University of Utah. This handout contains additional information about the SMOG formula, and it provides step by step instructions on how to assess your resources by hand.
Another Readability Option The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Index
While the SMOG Readability Formula is an easy way to determine readability, another option is the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Index. This test is automatically calculated on your Microsoft Word documents. After Microsoft Word completes a grammar check (under tools in the tool bar), readability statistics are displayed.
One of the formulas that is similar to the SMOG formula is the Flesch-Kincaid formula. This index computes readability based on the average number of syllables per word and the average number of words per sentence. The score in this case indicates a grade-school level. For example, a score of 8.0 means that an eighth grader would understand the document. Standard writing approximately equates to the seventh- to eighth-grade level.
Source:
University of Utah. The Smog Readability Formula handout. https://library.med.utah.edu/Patient_Ed/workshop/handouts/smog_formula.pdf Accessed: March, 27 2020
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