CV Word Count & Readability Analyser
Analyze your CV length, Flesch-Kincaid reading difficulty, and keyword density entirely client-side.
Keyword Density Rates
Optimal: 0.5% - 2.5%Counting words and checking keyword density on a CV is a simple but crucial step. It helps you spot overly long applications, tweak phrasing, and ensure the content matches the job spec. This tool does all that — fast, accurate, and with zero fuss.
TL;DR
This free browser tool counts words, tracks syllables, measures reading level, and calculates keyword density in your CV text — no signup needed, nothing sent online, all in your browser.
Use the tool (above)
Paste your CV text into the box above. The tool instantly shows:
- Total word count
- Average syllables per word
- Reading grade level (based on Flesch-Kincaid)
- Keyword density percentages for any words you enter
It updates live as you type or edit, so you can experiment with different versions.
If you want to check a PDF or Word document, copy and paste the text here. It works best with plain text but handles basic formatting without issues.
How it works
This tool runs entirely in your browser using JavaScript. It parses your text by splitting on spaces and punctuation to count words and syllables. The reading grade level estimate uses the standard Flesch-Kincaid formula, which balances sentence length and syllables per word. Keyword density is calculated by counting exact word matches divided by total words.
Because it works locally, there’s no delay waiting for our servers. Instant feedback means faster editing.
The tool is optimised for CV text, which tends to be concise and bullet-point based. It ignores line breaks and multiple spaces to give accurate counts.
Privacy: nothing leaves your browser
Your CV text never leaves your computer. All processing happens client-side, in your browser’s memory. We do not collect, store, or transmit your data. This means:
- No risk of your candidate’s personal data being exposed
- Compliance-friendly for GDPR and other privacy laws
- Safe to use on confidential or sensitive applications
If you want to double-check our privacy, the tool’s source code is open and runs fully offline once loaded.
When to upgrade to the full Distill workflow
This free tool is perfect for quick checks and manual editing. However, if you regularly send CVs to clients or upload to ATS platforms, Distill’s full workflow saves time and reduces errors by:
- Automatically stripping personal data like name, email, phone, photo, and graduation year
- Formatting CVs to specific ATS requirements for Bullhorn, PageUp, SmartRecruiters, and more
- Batch processing tens or hundreds of CVs in minutes
- Integrating with your existing email and file systems
If your team sends 20+ CVs weekly or handles multiple ATS specs, upgrading avoids repetitive manual work and formatting mistakes.
See our pricing page for details.
FAQ
Q: Can I use this tool on mobile?
Yes. It works on most modern mobile browsers, though editing large CVs is easier on desktop.
Q: Does it handle PDFs or Word files directly?
No. Copy and paste the CV text into the tool. This avoids upload risks and keeps processing local.
Q: Can I check multiple CVs at once?
Not here. For batch processing, use Distill’s full service.
Q: How accurate is the syllable count and reading level?
It’s based on standard English language rules and algorithms. While not perfect, it’s reliable enough for quick assessments.
Q: Can I save or export the analysed text?
No. This tool is for live checks only. Save your edited CV separately.
Q: Is the keyword density case sensitive?
No, keyword matching ignores case.
Q: Does it count UK or US English spellings differently?
No. It treats both the same for counting purposes.
If you want more free tools like this, see our free tools collection.
Use the tool above to get an instant snapshot of your CV’s word count and keyword balance. When you need to anonymise and format CVs for submission, Distill strips personal info and outputs ATS-ready documents automatically.