What is a Good Gunning Fog Score? (And Why It Matters Now)

Ever read a guide and felt like you needed a decoder ring to get through the first paragraph? I sure have. That’s why I’m passionate about keeping my writing sharp, easy to follow, and—when possible—a little fun. Today, I want to show you how I utilize the Gunning Fog Score to ensure my content is always clear and accessible.

Table of Contents

What You’ll Learn

• What the Gunning Fog Score is and why I rely on it
• How do I keep my writing easy to read
• The formula (I promise, it’s simple)
• What makes a “good” score for professionals
• How you can check your score (even if you’re not a math whiz)
• My personal stories with readability in SaaS
• Fast answers to common questions
• How does all of this help you work smarter, not harder

Key Takeaways

• Gunning Fog Score shows how easy your writing is to read.
• Aim for a score between 7 and 10 for most professional content.
• Short sentences and simple words help lower your score.
• Use Python (textstat) for quick score checks.
• Clear writing reduces confusion and improves user experience.

Why I Focus on Readability

I used to write as if I were preparing for a spelling bee—long sentences, big words, and plenty of extra details. But working with SaaS tools taught me something important: people want answers, not riddles. The Gunning Fog Score helps me see if my writing is easy to understand. For busy professionals, that’s a real time-saver.

The Gunning Fog Score tells you how simple your writing is. Lower numbers mean your message is more straightforward to grasp.

What Is the Gunning Fog Score?

Think of the Gunning Fog Score as a reading level check. It shows how many years of schooling someone needs to follow your writing. A score of 12 means high school. A score of 8 means you’re writing for a wider audience. I use this score to avoid sounding like a textbook. If I can explain SaaS topics so my neighbor’s teenager gets it, I know I’m doing well.

The Gunning Fog Score tells you if your writing is simple or complex, based on how long your sentences are and how many harsh words you use.

The Formula (No Headaches Here)

Here’s the formula, but don’t worry—it’s not scary:

Gunning Fog Index=0.4×(WordsSentences+100×Complex WordsWords)

A “complex word” is any word with three or more syllables. That’s it! If you want to check your score quickly, I’ll show you a Python trick soon.

The Gunning Fog Score uses sentence length and harsh words to measure how easy your writing is to read.

What Counts as a Good Gunning Fog Score?

Here’s what I aim for: a score between 7 and 10. That’s clear and direct. If you’re writing for a broad audience, keep it closer to 7. If you’re explaining something technical, you might be closer to 10. My sweet spot is 8 or 9. That way, most adults can read my work without reaching for a dictionary.

A score between 7 and 10 is best for most professional writing. Lower is better if you want everyone to understand you.

How I Check My Gunning Fog Score in Python

I love shortcuts, and Python gives me a fast way to check my work. Here’s a simple script I use:

Python code

import textstat

text = "Your sample text here."

score = textstat.gunning_fog(text)

print(score)

This saves me time and helps me keep my writing on point. If you want to compare with other tests, check out my article on the Flesch Reading Ease test.

Use Python’s textstat tool to get your Gunning Fog Score fast.

Why Readability Matters in SaaS

Let me share a quick story. I once rewrote our onboarding guide. The first version was heavy and hard to follow. After I made it simpler and checked the Gunning Fog Score, we saw support questions drop by almost a third. That’s not magic—it’s clear writing at work.

Clear writing saves everyone time. It helps people find answers without getting lost. I’ve seen this with my own eyes, and I know it works.

Making your writing easy to read can cut down on confusion and help your users succeed.

How I Use the Gunning Fog Score in My Workflow

Step 1: Draft with Simplicity in Mind

I start with short sentences and everyday words. If I catch myself getting fancy, I pull back. My goal is to make each idea land on the first read.

Step 2: Run the Score

Before I publish, I run my draft through a readability tool. If the number is too high, I trim sentences and swap out complex words.

Step 3: Edit for Flow

I read my work out loud. If I stumble, I know my readers will too. Shorter sentences and simple words always win.

Step 4: Check Again

One last check with the Gunning Fog Score. If it’s in my target range, I’m ready to go.

Tips for Keeping Your Gunning Fog Score Low

• Use short sentences.
• Choose simple words.
• Break up long paragraphs.
• Avoid jargon unless you explain it.
• Read your work out loud.
• Edit with your reader in mind.

Table: Gunning Fog Score Benchmarks

Score Range	Reading Level	Audience Type
7–8	Middle school	General public
9–10	High school	Professionals, a broad audience
11–12	College	Technical or academic
13+	Post-grad	Specialized, niche

My Checklist for Readable Content

• Did I use short sentences?
• Did I avoid big words when a simple one works?
• Is each paragraph focused and brief?
• Did I check the Gunning-Fog score?
• Did I read it out loud?
• Did I link to related articles for more info?

If you’re curious about other ways to check your writing, don’t miss my breakdown of the Flesch Reading Ease test.

Final Thoughts

The Gunning Fog Score helps me keep my writing simple and easy to follow. Lower scores mean more people can understand what I’m saying. Python makes it easy to check, and the results speak for themselves.

If you want your readers (and your support team) to thank you, try this tool. Clear writing isn’t just for teachers. It’s for anyone who wants their message to land every time. Ready to make your content more straightforward? Try the Gunning Fog Score and see the difference for yourself. And if you want to explore more, check out my article on the Flesch Reading Ease test.

The Gunning Fog Score is an excellent tool for clear, compelling writing—use it with other tests for best results.

Common Questions About the Gunning Fog Score