Tip: press Ctrl + Enter (Cmd + Enter on Mac) to rewrite. Shorter sections usually give better results than very long ones.
Last updated: October 2026
How to Use the Paraphrasing Tool
Paraphrasing means saying the same thing in different words and with a different sentence structure. It is useful when your own draft sounds awkward, when a sentence is too complicated, or when you want to say something more simply or more formally. This free tool rewrites your text in the style you choose, and shows you the word count before and after so you can see what changed.
In short: Use the tool to improve the wording of text you already have the right to use, such as your own writing. Paraphrasing someone else’s work does not remove the need to credit them.
- Paste your text. You can enter up to 3,000 characters at a time, roughly 450 to 500 words.
- Choose a writing style. See the table below for what each style does.
- Click “Paraphrase my text.” The result appears in a few seconds.
- Review the result. Check that the meaning, names, and numbers are unchanged.
- Copy, retry, or refine. Use “Try again” for another version, or “Use as new input” to rewrite the result once more in a different style.
Which writing style should you choose?
| Style | What it does | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Changes vocabulary and sentence structure at about the same length. | A general rewrite of your own draft. |
| Fluent | Smooths awkward or repetitive phrasing. | Emails, blog drafts, and text written quickly. |
| Formal | Uses a professional or academic tone. | Reports, cover letters, and business messages. |
| Simple | Uses plain words and shorter sentences. | Explaining technical ideas to a general audience. |
| Shorter | Removes redundancy, usually 20 to 30 percent shorter. | Tightening long paragraphs without losing the point. |
Example: One Sentence, Four Styles
Here is how the same sentence can change with the style you choose. These are illustrative examples.
Original
The company has seen a steady rise in online orders, and as a result the warehouse team has had to work longer hours to keep up.
Standard
Online orders at the company have grown steadily, so the warehouse staff have been putting in extra hours to keep pace.
Formal
A sustained increase in online orders has required warehouse personnel to extend their working hours in order to meet demand.
Simple
More people are ordering online, so the warehouse team works longer hours.
Shorter
Rising online orders have forced warehouse staff to work longer hours.
All four keep the same facts: orders are rising, and the warehouse team is working longer hours. If a rewrite changes a fact, even slightly, treat that as an error and fix it.
Paraphrasing Is Not the Same as Avoiding Plagiarism
Many people use paraphrasing tools to make text “different enough.” This is risky. Plagiarism is about using someone else’s ideas or words without giving credit, not only about copying exact sentences. Purdue University’s writing lab, for example, explains that a paraphrase is a legitimate way to use a source only when it is accompanied by accurate documentation, and that you must name where the information came from.
Important: If the ideas, data, or arguments come from another person’s work, you must cite that source, even if every word is different. We do not claim that our output will pass any plagiarism or AI detection tool, and you should not rely on a tool to hide the origin of text.
Plagiarism checkers mostly compare wording, but teachers, editors, and publishers care about where the ideas came from. The safest approach is to paraphrase only text you wrote yourself, or text you are allowed to reuse, and to cite everything else.
Good Uses for a Paraphrasing Tool
- Refreshing your own old content. Update older posts, emails, or product descriptions with clearer wording.
- Fixing awkward sentences. Turn a clumsy sentence into a smoother one.
- Simplifying complex text. Make technical explanations easier for a general audience.
- Shortening long paragraphs. Say the same thing in fewer words.
- Learning English. Compare your sentence with other ways of saying it, and learn new phrasing.
A use to avoid: rewriting other people’s articles
Taking another website’s article and running it through a rewriter does not create original value. Google’s spam policies target large-scale content with little original value, and publishers often reject sites built this way. If you want to write about a topic, read several sources, understand them, and write from your own knowledge and experience, then cite what you used.
How to Paraphrase Without a Tool
The tool is useful, but the manual method is worth learning, because it also helps you check the tool’s output. Writing guides, including Purdue’s, recommend a similar process:
- Read the passage until you understand it fully. If you cannot explain it aloud, you are not ready to rewrite it.
- Set the original aside. Write the idea from memory in your own words.
- Change the structure, not only the vocabulary. Swapping synonyms while keeping the same sentence shape is weak paraphrasing.
- Compare with the original. Confirm the meaning is the same and that you did not copy distinctive phrases.
- Credit the source. Add a citation or a link wherever the idea is not your own.
What to Check After You Paraphrase
- Is the meaning exactly the same?
- Are names, numbers, dates, and technical terms still correct?
- Does the tone fit your audience?
- Does it still sound like you? Edit phrases that feel unnatural.
- Have you credited the original source, if the ideas are not yours?
Limits of AI Paraphrasing
- Meaning can shift. AI can change a nuance, drop a qualifier such as “may” or “often”, or alter a technical term.
- Specialist text needs care. Legal, medical, and scientific wording should be checked by someone who understands the field.
- Results vary. Two runs on the same text can produce different outputs, so use “Try again” when a version is not right.
- Length limit. Each run handles up to 3,000 characters. For longer documents, work section by section.
- Other languages. The tool replies in the language you write in, but results are usually best in English, so review them carefully.
- Privacy. Do not paste confidential or personal information into any online tool.
Related Free Tools
| Tool | Use it when |
|---|---|
| AI Paragraph Expander | A point is too thin and needs more explanation. |
| AI Text Summarizer | You need a short summary of long text. |
| AI Email Writer | You want help drafting or polishing an email. |
| Blog Post Outline Generator | You are planning an article before writing it. |
For a clear explanation of paraphrasing and how to credit sources, read the Purdue OWL guide to paraphrasing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the paraphrasing tool free?
Yes. You can use it without paying and without creating an account.
Will the result pass a plagiarism checker?
We cannot promise that. Plagiarism checkers differ, and AI output can resemble existing text. More importantly, a rewritten text still needs a citation if the ideas come from someone else.
Does it change the meaning of my text?
It is designed to keep the meaning, but AI can make mistakes. Always compare the result with your original, especially names, numbers, and technical terms.
Is it safe for students to use?
It can help you improve your own writing, but schools have different rules about AI tools. Check your institution’s policy, and cite your sources.
What is the difference between paraphrasing and summarizing?
A paraphrase restates a passage in your own words and is usually about as long as the original. A summary is shorter and covers only the main points.
What is the difference between paraphrasing and expanding text?
Paraphrasing keeps the length similar and changes the wording. Expanding adds explanation and detail to make text longer. See our paragraph expander for that.
Can I use it to rewrite articles I found online?
We advise against it. Rewriting someone else’s article adds little original value and may still require attribution. Write from your own knowledge and cite the sources you used.
How much text can I enter?
Up to 3,000 characters per run. For longer documents, paraphrase one section at a time.