Scan vs Skim

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Scan	Skim
Meaning	To look at something quickly and carefully.	To read something quickly to get the main idea.
CEFR level	B1	B1
Part of speech	verb	verb
Usage notes	Use 'scan' when quickly checking something for important information. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts; instead, say 'examine' or 'inspect.'	Used usually when you want to quickly understand a text instead of reading it in detail. Not appropriate for important documents where every detail matters.

Frequently asked questions: Scan vs Skim

What's the difference between "Scan" and "Skim"?

"Scan" means: To look at something quickly and carefully. "Skim" means: To read something quickly to get the main idea.

When should I use "Scan" and "Skim"?

They can all be used in everyday English.

Are "Scan" and "Skim" the same CEFR level?

"Scan" is at B1, "Skim" is at B1 on the CEFR scale.