Vocabulary Size Test
Free 2026 test to estimate how many English words you know and your CEFR level in under 2 minutes. Accurate for high school, IELTS, TOEFL, and university readiness.
How it works
You'll see three groups of words (easy → medium → advanced). Click only the ones you **honestly know well** (you could use them in a sentence). If you know every word in a group, click "I know them all" to save time. We use your choices + research-based math to estimate your total vocabulary size.
Estimated Vocabulary Size
Likely CEFR Level
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What This Means for You
Disclaimer: This is a fast estimate for learning and planning only. It is not an official test and should not replace certified exams like IELTS, TOEFL, or TOEIC.
The Science Behind Vocabulary Size
The 8,000–9,000 Word Threshold
Research shows that knowing 8,000–9,000 word families lets you understand ~98% of most academic texts, newspapers, and books without a dictionary. This is the level where reading feels comfortable and natural.
CEFR & University Readiness
Most universities expect B2–C1 (around 4,000–8,000+ words). Below B2, academic reading and lectures can feel very challenging. This test helps you see where you are and what to aim for.
How accurate is this test? It's a quick estimate based on ~135 words — accurate within ±1,500 words for most people. Real tests use 200–500 items.
What vocabulary size do I need for university? 6,000–9,000 words is a realistic target for comfortable academic reading and writing.
Why did my score change when I retook it? Small sample size + human guessing can cause ±500–1,000 variation. Retake a few times and take the average.