Free English vocabulary size test · Pilot
How many English
words do you know?
Find your starting point. Answer 40 short questions and get an estimate of your English vocabulary in word families.
No signup. Full results free. No timer.
Allow about 5 minutes; this timing is being tested in the pilot.
How the test works
- 01
Choose the meaning
Read a word in a short context. Choose its meaning, or “I don't know.” Please avoid dictionaries, translation tools, and random guessing.
- 02
See your estimate
Get an initial result after 40 questions. Before revealing answers, you can answer 40 more to add evidence.
- 03
Learn from the result
All results and missed meanings are free. An optional account saves your result and offers one practice sample.
What is a word family?
A word family groups a base word with its related forms. For example, help, helps, helped, helping, helpful, helpless belong to one family in our reference list. They do not count as six separate vocabulary items.
We sample the first 20,000 families in Paul Nation's BNC/COCA lists. The test measures recognition of written meanings. Knowing one tested meaning does not demonstrate knowledge of every family member or the ability to use it in conversation.
Before you start
Is this vocabulary test really free?
Yes. The quiz, estimate, range, frequency profile, and missed meanings are available without an account. Saving results and the optional practice sample require a free account.
How accurate is the estimate?
This is an uncalibrated pilot with newly written questions. The range reflects sampling uncertainty under stated assumptions; it does not cover all sources of bias. We have not yet validated the questions with learners. Use it for curiosity and learning direction, not placement or certification.
Will it tell me my CEFR level?
No. Vocabulary size alone does not determine a CEFR level, which includes broader language skills. We do not convert this score into an IELTS, TOEFL, or CEFR result.
Who is it for?
Adults who can comfortably read English definitions, especially intermediate and advanced learners. Beginners may find the definitions difficult; highly proficient readers may reach the reference list's ceiling.
Can I pause or retake it?
Guest progress is saved in this browser for 30 days using an essential resume cookie. Tests started while signed in are saved to your account and can be resumed on another device. You can retake the test, but familiar questions and recently learned answers can raise the score without reflecting general vocabulary growth.
What can I do to improve my vocabulary?
Use missed meanings as a starting point, then learn useful words in context and revisit them over time. The Missing Workbook combines a detailed dictionary with spaced repetition. A1 study is free; continued A2–C2 study requires Pro.