100% Similarity on Turnitin: Why It Happens and How to Fix It
Independent guide. Not affiliated with Turnitin, LLC. Read the Turnitin disclaimer.
100% similarity almost never means you copied an entire paper. It usually means Turnitin already has your paper.
Common causes
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Draft submitted to a storing assignment | Instructor excludes the source |
| Same paper submitted to two assignments | Instructor deletes one or excludes |
| A friend or "free Turnitin" site submitted it | Explain; instructor can request removal |
| Paper published online | Cite it or explain |
What to do
- Open the report and check the matching source: Submitted works to your institution?
- Tell your instructor straight away with the details.
- Don't keep resubmitting; that triggers the 24-hour delay.
Avoid it next time: check privately ($3.50), never stored. See self-matches.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my Turnitin score 100%?
Most often your paper was already stored in the repository, from a draft, another assignment or someone else submitting it.
How do I fix 100%?
Ask your instructor to exclude the matching source or delete the earlier submission.
Does checking with you cause 100%?
No. We never store your document.
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