Video Hook Analyzer: Retention Score for TikTok and Reels

Analyze the first 3 seconds of your video hooks, detect high-impact psychological trigger words, and generate proven viral formulas.

Video hook score out of 100: scoring grid and estimated retention

The score starts at 50 points, adds up to 20 points for sentence length (7 to 16 words), 6 points per impact word detected (20 at most) and 10 points for the visual and sound elements you tick. The displayed "3-second retention" is 85% of the score, kept between 30 and 88%: it is the tool's heuristic, not a figure from TikTok, Instagram or YouTube.

Scoring grid

  • Base: 50 points.
  • Length: +20 for 7 to 16 words, +10 for 17 to 22 words, +2 otherwise.
  • Impact words: +6 for each listed word found in the text, capped at +20. The list follows the display language (in English it includes words such as stop, mistake, secret, truth, free, worst, hack, why).
  • Ticked elements: visual pattern interrupt +4, dynamic subtitles +3, sound effect +3.

The final score is kept between 25 and 99. Estimated retention = round(score × 0.85), kept between 30 and 88%.

Example

The default French hook has 17 words (+10) and four detected impact words (4 × 6 = 24, capped at +20), with all three elements ticked (+10). Score: 50 + 10 + 20 + 10 = 90/100, displayed retention: round(90 × 0.85) = 77%. Shortening the sentence to 16 words would lift the score to 99.

Limits

  • Detection only keeps whole words: "best" is not counted inside "bestseller", but an inflected form such as "mistakes" is not counted either.
  • The score predicts neither views nor virality. Platforms publish no 3-second retention threshold; only your own watch statistics (retention curve in TikTok Studio, Instagram insights or YouTube Studio) measure how a hook really performs.

The six hook templates on the right are sample formulas to adapt to your topic.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many words should a short-video hook have?

The tool gives the maximum (+20 points) to hooks of 7 to 16 words, roughly 3 seconds of speech. From 17 to 22 words the bonus drops to +10; beyond that, to +2.

How is the 3-second retention calculated?

It is 85% of the score, rounded and kept between 30 and 88%. A score of 90 gives 77%. This is the tool's own conversion, not platform data.

Which impact words are detected?

A list specific to each language, such as stop, mistake, secret, truth, free or worst in English. Each word found adds 6 points, capped at 20 points.

Does a 90/100 score guarantee a viral video?

No. The score judges the wording and the presence of editing elements. Actual reach depends on the whole video and audience reactions, which only platform analytics measure.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.