How to Check Keyword Density: A Step-by-Step SEO Guide
To check keyword density, paste your content into a density checker, read the total word count, then switch between single words, 2-word and 3-word phrases to see each term's count and percentage — aim for a natural spread rather than hitting a fixed number. Density is simply how often a term appears divided by total words, so the goal is to confirm your topic is clearly present without over-optimising.
This guide walks through using the Keyword Density Checker step by step, with the added benefit that everything runs locally in your browser — so unpublished drafts never leave your device.
Step-by-step: running a density check
- Paste your article or page copy into the input box. Full drafts work best because density is only meaningful across the whole piece.
- Note the total word count shown above the results. This is the denominator behind every percentage, so it frames how much weight any single term can carry.
- Switch views between single words, 2-word and 3-word phrases. Single words show broad emphasis; phrase (n-gram) views reveal the exact multi-word terms search engines associate with your page.
- Read each term's count and density percentage in the ranked table, most frequent first.
- Adjust your copy so key phrases sit in a natural range and no single term dominates unnaturally.
How to read the results
| View | What it shows | Use it to… |
|---|---|---|
| Single words | Top meaningful words (stop words filtered) | Confirm your core topic is present |
| 2-word phrases | Two-word sequences like "keyword density" | Check your primary keyword phrase appears naturally |
| 3-word phrases | Three-word sequences like "on page seo" | Spot long-tail phrases your draft emphasises |
Density is calculated as occurrences ÷ total words × 100. For phrases the tool counts how often the exact two- or three-word sequence occurs, so it reflects real phrasing rather than scattered individual words.
Turning numbers into edits
Most practitioners keep a primary keyword around 1–2% and write naturally rather than to a target. If a phrase sits far above that, look for spots where you can swap in a synonym or restructure a sentence. If your main phrase barely registers, add it to a heading or an early paragraph where it reads naturally. The single-word view filters common stop words like "the" and "and" so meaningful terms rank clearly, while the phrase views keep all words because stop words are often part of genuine key phrases such as "how to" constructions.
Why in-browser matters for SEO work
Because all calculations run in JavaScript on your device, nothing is transmitted, stored or logged. That makes it safe for confidential client drafts, embargoed announcements and unpublished pages — content you would never want to paste into a server-side tool. It also works offline once loaded, so you can audit copy on a plane or anywhere without a connection.
Try the Keyword Density Checker — free and 100% in your browser.
FAQ
What is a good keyword density to aim for?
There is no official figure, but roughly 1–2% for a primary keyword is a common comfort zone. The better habit is to write naturally and use density as a sanity check, not a target you force your copy to hit.
Should I check single words or phrases first?
Start with 2-word and 3-word phrases, because search intent usually lives in multi-word terms. Single words confirm broad topical focus, but phrase density tells you whether your actual target query is represented.
Why are common words missing from the single-word list?
The single-word view filters stop words such as "the," "and" and "of" so the ranking highlights meaningful keywords. Those words still count toward your total word count; they are just hidden from that particular ranking for clarity.
Is my draft safe to paste in?
Yes. Nothing you paste is uploaded or stored — the analysis happens entirely in your browser. That is what makes it appropriate for unpublished and client-confidential content.
Related free tools
- Word Frequency Counter — see the raw frequency of every word.
- Word Counter — track total words and characters.
- Readability Score Checker — gauge how easy your copy reads.
- Slug Generator — turn titles into clean URL slugs.
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