Turnitin report example: AI and similarity samples
Short answer: the two reports students usually mean are the AI Writing Report and the Similarity Report. The AI report estimates AI-written or AI-paraphrased text; the Similarity Report finds text that matches sources. They are separate scores. Below are real, redacted samples of both reports and the highlighted submission view.
The same AI + similarity reports your instructor sees · deleted within 24 hours
Turnitin report types at a glance
| Report | What it shows | Student access |
|---|---|---|
| AI Writing Report | AI-writing percentage and highlighted passages | Depends on the institution and product workflow |
| Similarity Report | Overall similarity, matched text, and source list | Instructor can allow students to view and download it |
A high number in one report does not cause a high number in the other. Turnitin’s AI Writing Report guide says the AI score is independent of the similarity score and should not be the sole basis for action against a student.
1. The AI writing report
The first part is the AI-writing indicator. It shows one overall percentage and splits it into AI-generated (written by a model like ChatGPT) and AI-paraphrased (AI text run through a reworder). This sample scored 100% AI — because the test document genuinely was AI-written.
Turnitin tells reviewers to use the AI score as a starting point for examining the highlighted passages, not as a verdict. Its official review guide explains how to inspect the overall score and passages before using academic judgment. For what each band means, see what your Turnitin AI score means.
2. The similarity report
The second part is the Similarity Report — the classic plagiarism check. It shows an overall similarity %, then breaks matches into four groups (not cited or quoted, missing quotations, missing citation, cited and quoted), lists the top matched sources, and notes any integrity flags. This sample came back at 0% similarity — the text was original, even though it was AI-written (similarity and AI detection are separate).
Wondering whether your own number is fine? See what counts as a good similarity score. If you already have a report and need to inspect each match, read how to read a Turnitin Similarity Report.
3. What flagged text looks like
Both reports also show your full submission with the relevant passages highlighted— blue for AI-flagged text, colored bands for source matches. That’s how an instructor sees exactly which sentences triggered the score, line by line.
Can students view or download a Turnitin report?
Student access is controlled by the assignment and the products licensed by the institution. If the instructor allows student access to the Similarity Report, a student can open it after submitting. Turnitin also provides an official student download workflow that exports the report as a PDF with the active report layers and a source list.
Whether the report appears immediately, after the due date, or at all depends on the instructor’s settings. Turnitin’s assignment settings guide documents controls for report generation, resubmissions, student access, and repository storage. For a broader explanation of school access, read whether Turnitin is free for students.
Is this a real Turnitin report?
Yes — these are real Turnitin reports from a test document, with the name and submission ID removed. They’re not mock-ups. Your school’s layout may look slightly different as Turnitin updates the report experience or integrates it into an LMS, but the score, source, and highlighted-text concepts are the same.
If you want to see your own — the actual AI and similarity report your instructor will see — you can run your paper through the real Turnitin first. It’s processed privately, deleted within 24 hours, and never added to any repository, so checking here doesn’t affect your real submission.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Turnitin report look like?
A Turnitin report has two parts. The AI writing report shows an overall AI percentage (e.g., “100% detected as AI”) with a breakdown of AI-generated vs AI-paraphrased text. The Similarity Report shows an overall similarity percentage, match groups (not cited, missing quotations, missing citation, cited and quoted), the top matched sources, and any integrity flags. The submission’s text is shown with the matched or AI-flagged passages highlighted.
Is this a real Turnitin report?
Yes. The samples on this page are real Turnitin reports generated from a test document, with the student name and submission ID removed. They are not mock-ups — the layout, scoring and highlighting are exactly what Turnitin produces.
Can I see my own Turnitin report before I submit?
It depends on the assignment settings. An instructor may let students open the Similarity Report after submitting, allow resubmissions, or provide a draft workflow. AI Writing Report access is more limited. Check the assignment settings or ask your instructor before assuming you can preview either report.
What is a good Turnitin score?
For similarity, there is no universal pass mark — it depends on your instructor and how much is quoted or cited; see our guide on what counts as a good similarity score. For AI, Turnitin only surfaces a number once enough of the document reads as AI, and the score is an indicator, not proof.
Does a high score mean I will be accused?
No. Turnitin tells instructors to use the AI score as one data point rather than the sole basis for adverse action. A high similarity score also needs source-by-source review because quotations, references, and templates can create legitimate matches.
See your own report before you submit
Get the real Turnitin AI + similarity report for your paper — the same one your instructor sees — processed privately and deleted within 24 hours.
Run a real Turnitin checkNot affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Turnitin, LLC. “Turnitin” is a trademark of Turnitin, LLC, used here descriptively. Samples are redacted real reports from a test document.