Quick answer
The average typing speed is about 40 WPM; 60+ WPM is good. WPM is correct characters ÷ 5 ÷ minutes. Type the highlighted words and press Space after each.
How to use the Typing Speed Test
- Choose a test length: 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes.
- Click the input box and start typing the highlighted word. The timer starts with your first key press.
- Press Space after each word to move to the next. Correct words turn green, mistakes turn red.
- When time runs out, you'll see your WPM, accuracy and personal best.
- Press Restart for a new set of words.
Example
In a 1-minute test you type 52 words correctly, made of 260 characters including spaces. Your speed is 260 ÷ 5 = 52 WPM. You also mistyped 3 words, giving an accuracy of about 95%. Practicing a few minutes a day with an accuracy target of 97% or more typically improves speed faster than rushing.
How it works
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), where one “word” is standardized as 5 characters, including spaces. This makes results comparable whether you type long or short words:
WPM = (correctly typed characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes
Only correctly typed words count towards your WPM. Accuracy is the share of characters you typed correctly in completed words.
| WPM | Level |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Beginner, often hunt-and-peck |
| 30-45 | Average |
| 45-65 | Above average, good for office work |
| 65-90 | Fast, typical of experienced touch typists |
| 90+ | Very fast, competitive typists |
Your best score is saved only in your browser.
A simple plan to type faster
- Week 1, accuracy only: slow down until you reach 97% accuracy or more. Speed built on mistakes doesn't last.
- Home row: rest your index fingers on F and J (they have small bumps). Every other key is reached from there.
- Don't look down: cover your hands with a cloth for a few sessions if you need to. It feels slow at first and fast within two weeks.
- Short daily sessions: 10-15 minutes a day beats one long session a week. Use the 1-minute test to track progress.
- Posture: wrists level, shoulders relaxed, and the screen at eye height. Tension slows your fingers down.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed?
Around 40 WPM is average. 60 WPM or more is considered good for most office jobs, and professional typists often reach 80-100 WPM.
How is WPM calculated?
Correctly typed characters, including spaces, are divided by 5 to get “standard words”, then divided by the minutes elapsed.
How can I type faster?
Learn touch typing so you don't look at the keyboard, keep your fingers on the home row (ASDF JKL;), focus on accuracy first, and practice for 10-15 minutes daily.
Does this work on a phone?
Yes, but mobile typing speeds are usually lower and autocorrect is turned off for the test. For a fair comparison, use a physical keyboard.
Why should I care about accuracy?
Every mistake costs time to fix. Typing 60 WPM at 98% accuracy is far more productive than 75 WPM at 90%.