Type‑Token Ratio: The Secret Metric Editors Love

Updated September 2025

Type‑Token Ratio (TTR) measures vocabulary diversity by dividing the number of unique words (types) by the total number of words (tokens). A higher TTR suggests varied language, while a lower TTR suggests repetition. Editors use TTR to quickly assess whether a draft feels fresh or redundant.

Why TTR matters

Readers engage when ideas advance and phrasing varies. Excess repetition can feel amateurish or manipulative. For SEO, variety helps cover a topic more comprehensively and can align with a broader set of related queries.

How to read TTR

• 0.45–0.60: Typical for clear, informative web writing.
• 0.60–0.75: High variety; useful for essays and creative work.
• < 0.45: Consider reducing repetitive phrasing and adding synonyms.

Improving TTR without losing clarity

1. Replace repeated filler words with stronger verbs and nouns.
2. Use synonyms where meaning stays intact.
3. Break long sentences; vary rhythm and structure.
4. Add examples and analogies to introduce fresh vocabulary.

Example workflow

A 900‑word product guide had a TTR of 0.41. After trimming boilerplate and adding specific examples, TTR rose to 0.57. The page became easier to scan and ranked for additional long‑tail phrases.

Caveats

TTR depends on text length: very short texts can have artificially high TTR. Don’t chase a number—use it to spot heavy repetition and guide revision.

Run your draft through our Word Frequency Counter, note the uniques and totals, and iterate until your language feels natural and precise.