Keyword Density Checker
Analyze keyword density, discover top phrases, and optimize your content for SEO. Free, no signup.
What Is Keyword Density?
Keyword density is the percentage of times a target keyword appears in your content relative to the total word count. It is calculated as: (keyword occurrences / total words) x 100. Search engines use keyword density as one signal to understand what a page is about, but overusing a keyword (known as keyword stuffing) can hurt your rankings.
Ideal Keyword Density Ranges
| Density | Verdict | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | Missing | Add the keyword to your content |
| 0.1% - 0.4% | Too Low | Use the keyword more naturally |
| 0.5% - 2.5% | Good | Ideal range for most content |
| 2.5% - 3.0% | Borderline | Acceptable, but use caution |
| 3.0%+ | Too High | Reduce usage — risk of keyword stuffing penalty |
Why Keyword Density Still Matters
While Google has moved beyond simple keyword counting, density still serves as a useful optimization check. Content that never mentions the target keyword will struggle to rank for it. Content that over-mentions it risks a spam penalty. The sweet spot for most SEO practitioners is 0.5% to 2.5%, combined with natural use of related terms (LSI keywords) throughout the text.
How to Use N-Gram Analysis
This tool shows you the most frequent one-word, two-word, and three-word phrases (n-grams) in your content. Use this to identify unintentional repetition, discover natural keyword variations you are already using, and find opportunities to add related terms. If your target keyword does not appear in the top phrases, you should work it into your content more intentionally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good keyword density?
A keyword density of 0.5% to 2.5% is generally considered ideal for SEO. This means your target keyword appears roughly 5 to 25 times per 1,000 words. Focus on writing naturally rather than hitting an exact number.
What is keyword stuffing?
Keyword stuffing is the practice of overusing a keyword to manipulate search rankings. Google considers this a spam technique. Signs include density above 3%, unnatural-sounding sentences, and keywords forced into places where they do not belong (e.g., alt text, footers, hidden text).
Should I count keyword variations?
Yes. Google understands synonyms, plurals, and related terms. Using keyword variations (e.g., "keyword density tool" and "check keyword density") makes your content more natural and helps you rank for a broader set of queries. This tool helps you spot these variations in the n-gram analysis.
How is keyword density calculated?
Keyword density = (number of times the keyword appears / total word count) x 100. For multi-word keywords, each occurrence is counted using a sliding window approach — the phrase must appear as consecutive words in your content.