Typing Speed Test

How fast can you type? Start typing to begin the timer. See your WPM, accuracy, and CPM in real time.

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WPM
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Accuracy
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CPM
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How Typing Speed Is Measured

Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). A "word" is standardized at 5 characters (including spaces). So if you type 250 characters in one minute, your speed is 50 WPM. Accuracy is equally important: most typing tests penalize errors by subtracting incorrect words from the total, giving you a "net WPM" score that reflects both speed and accuracy.

Gross WPM = (Total Characters Typed / 5) / Minutes
Net WPM = Gross WPM - (Errors / Minutes)

How to Use This Test

Click "Start" to begin. A passage of text appears and you type it as quickly and accurately as you can. The test measures your WPM, accuracy percentage, and highlights errors in real time. You can choose different test lengths (30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes) and difficulty levels. Your results are compared to average typing speed benchmarks.

Typing Speed Benchmarks

Hunt and peck: 10-20 WPM. Average typist: 40-45 WPM. Good typist: 55-70 WPM. Fast typist: 70-90 WPM. Professional: 90-120 WPM. Competitive: 120+ WPM. For most office jobs, 50-60 WPM with good accuracy is sufficient. Read our guide on improving your typing speed for technique tips and practice strategies.

Typing Speed FAQ

How can I type faster?
Learn proper touch typing technique (all 10 fingers, eyes on screen, not keyboard). Practice consistently for 15-20 minutes daily. Focus on accuracy first; speed follows naturally. Use typing practice sites that gradually increase difficulty. Most people see significant improvement within 2-4 weeks of daily practice.
Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?
40 WPM is about average and is adequate for most daily tasks. However, if your job involves significant typing (writing, programming, data entry, customer service), improving to 60-70 WPM will save you meaningful time over weeks and months. The time investment in learning touch typing pays for itself quickly.

Typing Speed Context and Improvement

The average adult types approximately 40 to 45 words per minute (WPM). Professional typists typically achieve 65 to 75 WPM, while competitive speed typists exceed 120 WPM. The current world record for English typing speed is over 200 WPM. Typing speed correlates with keyboard familiarity and practice volume, not hand size or finger length. Touch typing (typing without looking at the keyboard) is roughly 50% faster than hunt-and-peck once proficiency is achieved. Key improvement strategies include: practicing daily with focused exercises, maintaining proper hand positioning on the home row (ASDF JKL;), looking at the screen rather than the keyboard, and gradually increasing speed without sacrificing accuracy. Accuracy above 95% should be prioritized over raw speed, as correcting errors negates speed gains.

Related Guide

How to Improve Your Typing Speed →