A readability formula designed to estimate the years of education required for a reader to fully understand a text. Developed by G. Harry McLaughlin in 1969, its calculation is primarily driven by the density of polysyllabic words (words containing three or more syllables). Because it aims for 100% comprehension rather than a 50–75% passing understanding, SMOG often provides a more conservative, higher-grade-level estimate than other formulas. It is frequently used in the healthcare and legal sectors, where total clarity is essential.
