Turnitin is the world’s leading tool for checking academic submissions against an enormous database of web content, publications, and student papers to produce a Similarity Report. For students, researchers, and professional writers, correctly submitting a document is the crucial first step in ensuring the integrity of their work.
While the core principle (uploading a file) is simple, the official Turnitin submission process is highly dependent on how you access the platform. Most users access it through a university or Learning Management System (LMS), while others, including independent writers, must use a specific workaround to upload a paper to Turnitin.
This guide provides a concise, factual breakdown of the different submission methods and essential settings you must know for a clean, successful check.
1. Submitting via a University or Institution (Student Login)
The vast majority of student submissions occur directly through a college or university’s LMS (like Canvas, Blackboard, or Moodle), which is integrated with Turnitin.
The Standard Student Submission Process
1. Access the Assignment: Log into your university’s LMS and navigate to the specific course. Locate the assignment link labeled “Turnitin Assignment” or similar.
2. Locate Submission Link: Click on the link, which will typically take you directly to the Turnitin submission page within the LMS interface.
3. Enter Details (If Required): Enter the submission title as instructed by your lecturer. In many cases, you are required to use your student ID number to comply with anonymous marking policies.
4. Upload Your File: Select one of the available upload options:
- File Upload: Choose the document from your computer.
- Text input: Enter or paste the text of your submission into the input field.
- Cloud Submission: Upload directly from services like Google Drive or Dropbox.
5. Review and Confirm: A preview window will appear, allowing you to check the document content and file details. Ensure you are uploading the correct file.
6. Complete Submission: Click the “Confirm” or “Submit to Turnitin” button. A digital receipt with a unique Submission ID will be generated. Always download and save this receipt as proof of submission time and date.
Turnitin Class ID and Enrollment Key (Direct Turnitin.com)
If your institution uses Turnitin’s classic direct website interface (Turnitin.com or TurnitinUK.com), you may need to enroll in a class first.
- Action: Your instructor will provide a unique, numerical Turnitin Class ID and a case-sensitive Enrollment Key (or Class Password).
- Process: After creating your student profile on the Turnitin website, select the “Enroll in a Class” option, enter the Class ID and Enrollment Key, and then navigate to the specific assignment link within that class to upload your paper.
2. Submitting via a Turnitin Instructor Account (Manual Upload)
Instructors have the ability to manually upload papers on behalf of a student, which is common for administrators, staff submissions, or non-integrated assignments.
The Instructor Submission Process
- Access Assignment Inbox: The instructor navigates to the specific assignment inbox within their Turnitin class.
- Select Submission Type: They click the “Submit” or “Upload” button and select the appropriate method from the drop-down menu: Single File Upload, Multiple File Upload, or Cut & Paste Upload.
- Assign Author: The instructor must select the correct student from the Author drop-down list. This correctly attributes the Similarity Report to the student’s name and record.
- Upload and Confirm: The file is uploaded, a title is added, and the submission is confirmed. The report is then processed and appears in the assignment inbox.
Independent Writers and Researchers
Turnitin’s core service is provided exclusively to institutions. Independent writers, researchers, or students without a current institutional login cannot create an account to self-check a paper directly on the Turnitin website.
If you need a reliable Turnitin report generation service for a draft, a preprint, or personal work, you must rely on a trusted third-party provider, such as our service here at PlagAiReport.com, which accesses the system on your behalf using a legitimate instructor account.
For a detailed breakdown of options outside a university environment, read our guide:Step-by-Step: How to Get a Turnitin Report Without a University Login.
3. Submission Options: Repository vs. No Repository
Before hitting the final submit button, it is vital to understand the “Submit paper to” option, which governs whether your document is saved in the Turnitin database for future comparisons.
The Standard Paper Repository (Default)
- Function: When this option is selected, your paper is added to Turnitin’s vast repository of student papers globally.
- Implication: Future papers submitted to Turnitin will be compared against yours. This is the standard setting for final submissions because it ensures academic integrity by preventing future students (or the current student in a later class) from plagiarizing the work.
No Repository (Ideal for Drafts)
- Function: When this option is selected, Turnitin processes the paper to generate the Similarity Report, but the file is NOT saved to the institutional or standard paper repository.
- Implication: This is the recommended setting for drafts, assignments submitted for review, or personal checks. This prevents your draft from generating a 100% match when you submit the final, complete version of the same paper to the permanent repository later.
To understand the specific risks of submitting a draft to the wrong setting, see:What Is No Repository Option in Turnitin? Understanding How It Works and Why It Matters.
4. Common Submission Issues & Fixes
To ensure a smooth upload paper to Turnitin experience, pay close attention to these technical requirements:
| Issue | Requirement / Fix |
| File Format | Accepted types include .DOCX, .PDF (with selectable text), .TXT, .RTF, and .PPTX. Avoid password-protected files or scanned PDFs (images). |
| File Size Limit | The file must be less than 100 MB and less than 800 pages. For large files, compress images or save the document as a plain text or Rich Text Format (.RTF) file. |
| Word Count | The document must contain at least 20 words of text for a Similarity Report to be generated. For an AI Writing Report, the minimum is typically 300 words. |
| Submission Confirmation | Always wait for the “Submission Complete” screen and download the digital receipt. If you don’t receive a receipt, the submission was unsuccessful. |
5. What Happens After Submission?
Once you have successfully submitted your paper, the Turnitin report generation process begins.
- Report Generation Time: For a first-time submission of an average-length paper, the Similarity Report typically generates within 5 to 15 minutes.
- Resubmissions: If you are resubmitting a corrected paper to the same assignment, be aware of the 24-hour rule. While the first three resubmissions are usually fast, the fourth (and subsequent) attempt requires a 24-hour waiting period before the new report is generated.
- Viewing the Report: Once processed, a percentage score (the Similarity Index) will appear in the assignment inbox. You can click on this score to open the Turnitin Feedback Studio and review the detailed color-coded report.
For a complete breakdown of processing times, read:How Long Does Turnitin Take to Generate a Report?.
Conclusion: Best Practices for a Successful Submission
The Turnitin submission process is a critical part of academic and research writing. A successful submission is about more than just uploading a file, it’s about understanding the system’s requirements and settings.
To ensure your submission is clean and accurate:
- Check File Compatibility: Always use an accepted format (e.g., .DOCX or searchable .PDF).
- Know Your Access: Use your institutional LMS portal whenever possible.
- Select Repository Wisely: Use the No Repository option for drafts and the Standard Repository for final papers.
- Submit Early: Account for peak server load, especially near deadlines, to ensure your paper is processed on time.
By following these guidelines and understanding the technical settings, you can navigate the official Turnitin platform with confidence and receive the feedback necessary to uphold the originality of your work.
