What keyword density is, and isn’t
Keyword density is the number of times a word or phrase appears divided by the total number of words, as a percentage. A phrase used 6 times in a 600-word article has a density of 1%.
Search engines don’t reward a particular density. Modern ranking systems understand synonyms and topics, and Google’s spam policies explicitly list keyword stuffing as a violation. Density is still useful as a diagnostic:
- Too high (above roughly 2–3% for a multi-word phrase) usually reads as repetitive to humans before it worries any algorithm.
- Zero for your main topic suggests the page may not clearly say what it’s about.
- The top phrases list shows what your text actually emphasises (sometimes not what you intended).
Using the checker
Enter your target keyword to see how often and where it appears; the first use within the first hundred words is a good sign the topic is clear early. Switch between 1-, 2- and 3-word phrases to find the multi-word terms your text revolves around. Ignore common words removes function words and phrases that start or end with them, so you see “keyword research” instead of “of the”.
Export the full table as CSV for comparison with competing pages.
Worked example
Here is what the Keyword Density Checker returns for its built-in example. Settings used: Phrase length: 1 word; Ignore common words: on. Click Try an example in the tool above to load it, then change it as you like.
A word counter helps writers hit length targets. Our word counter also shows reading time. Unlike a basic word counter, it counts sentences and paragraphs, and it highlights the words you use most so you can vary your vocabulary.| Result | Value |
|---|---|
| Words | 39 |
| Distinct words | 20 |
Questions
What is a good keyword density?
There is no ideal number. Use your main phrase naturally, typically somewhere around 0.5–2% for short phrases, and focus on covering the topic well.
How is keyword density calculated?
Occurrences of the word or phrase divided by the total number of words, multiplied by 100.
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