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Gunning Fog Index Calculator

Gunning Fog Index

A grade level that weighs long sentences and complex words (3+ syllables) heavily. The formula: 0.4 x ((words / sentences) + 100 x (complex words / words)). Paste text below to score it. Nothing is uploaded.

The scale

Band Meaning
6 to 8 Easy to read; ideal for a broad audience.
9 to 12 Standard; high school level.
13 to 16 Hard; college level.
17+ Very hard; academic or technical.
Gunning Fog Index - Paste text to score it
- Flesch Reading Ease
- Flesch-Kincaid grade
- SMOG
- Coleman-Liau
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Other formulas

All readability scores

Questions people ask

What is a good Gunning Fog score?

Aim for 8 or below for a general audience. Most professional writing lands around 10 to 12; above 16 it reads as dense and academic.

How is the Gunning Fog Index calculated?

0.4 times the sum of average words per sentence and the percentage of complex words (words of three or more syllables). Long sentences and big words both raise it.

What counts as a complex word?

A word of three or more syllables, ignoring common suffixes. Proper nouns and familiar compound words are usually excluded in the strict definition.