Turnitin Similarity Score: How It's Calculated
Independent guide. Not affiliated with Turnitin, LLC. Read the Turnitin disclaimer.
The Turnitin similarity score is the percentage of your words that match any source in Turnitin's databases, after the active filters. Each word is counted once, even if several sources match it.
Worked example
In our sample report the score is 9%, yet top sources show 8% internet, 1% publications and 7% submitted works (16% combined). That's overlap: the same sentence matched a website and a student paper.
What changes the score
- Excluding bibliography, quotes and small matches (filters).
- Whether your earlier drafts are in the repository.
- Excluding a specific source.
Reading the rating
See what each percentage means and acceptable scores.
Get your score: $3.50 with the AI report. Human humanizer: $5.99 per 200 words.
Frequently asked questions
How is the Turnitin similarity score calculated?
It's the share of your words that match any source, after filters, with each word counted once even if several sources match it.
Why do top sources add up to more than the score?
Text can match an internet page and a student paper at once; each category counts it.
Does the score include AI?
No. AI is a separate report.
See your Turnitin AI and similarity scores first.
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