How to Use Our Typing Speed Test
Using this tool is straightforward. Follow these simple steps to get your score in under a minute.
Prepare Yourself: Sit comfortably and place your fingers on the keyboard in the standard home row position (your left fingers on A, S, D, F and your right fingers on J, K, L, ;).
Start the Test: The test will begin as soon as you type the first character in the text box. A passage of text will be displayed for you to type.
Type the Text: Transcribe the text from the screen into the input box below it as quickly and accurately as you can. Do not worry about correcting mistakes with the backspace key; focus on flow and accuracy. The timer, typically set for 60 seconds, will start automatically.
View Your Results: Once the timer runs out, the test will stop, and your results will be displayed instantly. You will see your Words Per Minute (WPM), accuracy percentage, and other key metrics.
Understanding Your Results
Getting your score is just the first step. Understanding what the numbers mean is crucial for tracking your progress. Here’s a breakdown of the results our Typing Speed Test provides.
Words Per Minute (WPM): This is the primary metric for typing speed. It measures how many words you can type correctly in one minute. The standard calculation assumes that an average word consists of five characters, including spaces. For example, if you type 250 characters in one minute, your WPM would be 250/5=50 WPM.
Keystrokes (or Characters) Per Minute (CPM): This measures the total number of characters you type in one minute, including mistakes. It provides a raw measure of your finger speed.
Accuracy: This is a percentage that shows how many characters you typed correctly out of the total characters typed. An accuracy of 98% means that for every 100 characters you typed, you made 2 errors. High accuracy is just as important as high speed.
Adjusted WPM (or Net WPM): This is your “real” typing speed. It takes your errors into account by penalizing your raw WPM score for every mistake made. The formula is often calculated as your Gross WPM minus the number of uncorrected errors per minute. A high Adjusted WPM indicates both speed and precision.
What is a Good Typing Speed?
“Good” is subjective and depends heavily on your profession and daily tasks. However, we can establish general benchmarks.
Many employers look for speeds of 50 WPM or higher for positions that require significant computer use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good typing speed?
A typing speed of around 40 WPM is considered average for an adult. For professional roles that involve a lot of typing, such as administrative assistants or data entry clerks, a speed of 60 to 75 WPM is often expected. Competitive typists and highly proficient professionals can exceed 100 WPM. Ultimately, a “good” speed is one that allows you to complete your tasks efficiently without feeling hindered by your typing ability.
How can I improve my typing speed?
Improving your typing speed is a matter of technique and consistent practice. Here are three key strategies:
Learn Touch Typing: Stop “hunting and pecking” for keys. Touch typing is the method of typing without looking at the keyboard, using muscle memory to find the keys. Place your fingers on the “home row” (ASDF for the left hand, JKL; for the right) and practice reaching for other keys from that position.
Focus on Accuracy First: It’s tempting to try and type as fast as possible, but this builds bad habits and leads to more errors. Slow down and focus on hitting the correct keys every time. Speed will naturally increase as your accuracy and muscle memory improve. Correcting errors takes more time than typing correctly in the first place.
Practice Regularly: Consistency is key. Dedicate 15-20 minutes each day to practice. Use a typing tutor program or our Typing Speed Test to work on drills and type sample texts. Regular, short practice sessions are more effective than infrequent, long ones.
Does accuracy matter more than speed?
Yes, for most practical purposes, accuracy is more important than raw speed. A person typing at 80 WPM with 85% accuracy is constantly making errors, which they then have to spend time correcting. Their effective, or “adjusted,” speed is much lower. In contrast, someone typing at 55 WPM with 99% accuracy is far more efficient. In a professional environment, errors in documents, emails, or code can lead to miscommunication, wasted time, and significant problems. Focus on achieving at least 95-98% accuracy before pushing for higher speeds.
What is the average typing speed?
The average typing speed for an adult is approximately 40 WPM. This can vary by age, profession, and how much time a person spends on a computer. For teenagers and young adults who have grown up with computers, the average is often slightly higher. The average accuracy is around 92%.
What’s the difference between WPM and CPM?
WPM (Words Per Minute) and CPM (Characters Per Minute) are both measures of typing speed, but they count different things.
WPM: Measures the number of “words” typed per minute. In standardized tests, a “word” is defined as five characters (including spaces). So, typing “I love to type” (15 characters) is counted as 3 words.
CPM: Measures the number of individual characters typed per minute. This is a more direct measure of how fast your fingers are moving.
To convert CPM to WPM, you simply divide the CPM by 5.
WPM=5CPM
What is touch typing?
Touch typing is the skill of typing without looking at the keyboard. It relies on muscle memory to locate the keys. The typist keeps their fingers on the “home row” (ASDF and JKL;) and reaches to other keys from this base position. This method significantly increases typing speed and accuracy because it allows you to focus your eyes on the screen where the text is appearing, rather than constantly shifting your gaze between the keyboard and the monitor. It’s the standard technique taught in all professional typing courses.
Is a 10-key typing test different?
Yes, a 10-key typing test is completely different. It specifically measures your speed and accuracy using the numeric keypad on the right side of most keyboards, not the main QWERTY layout. This skill is crucial for data entry, accounting, and financial roles where inputting long strings of numbers quickly is a daily task. The score for a 10-key test is measured in Keystrokes Per Hour (KPH).
What keyboard layout is the fastest?
The most common keyboard layout is QWERTY, which was designed to prevent typewriter jams, not for speed. While most people use it, alternative layouts are proven to be more efficient.
Dvorak: This layout places the most frequently used letters on the home row, minimizing finger movement and increasing typing speed. Studies have shown that it can be significantly faster and more ergonomic than QWERTY, but it requires a steep learning curve.
Colemak: A more modern alternative to Dvorak, Colemak is also designed for efficiency but keeps some of the QWERTY key placements (like Z, X, C, V) to make it easier for existing QWERTY users to learn.
For most people, the time invested in learning a new layout may not be worth the potential speed gains. Mastering touch typing on the standard QWERTY layout is sufficient to achieve very high speeds.
Can typing speed affect my job prospects?
Absolutely. For many office-based jobs, typing is a fundamental skill. A slow typing speed can be a significant bottleneck, impacting overall productivity. Employers for roles like administrative assistants, paralegals, journalists, customer service representatives, and data entry clerks often require a minimum typing speed, which they may verify with a test during the interview process. Having a proven WPM of 60 or higher can make your resume more competitive and demonstrate your efficiency.
Does the type of keyboard matter for speed?
Yes, the keyboard can make a noticeable difference. Mechanical keyboards are often preferred by fast typists and programmers because they provide tactile feedback for each keystroke, which can improve accuracy and rhythm. Ergonomic keyboards, which are split or curved, can reduce strain and may improve comfort and speed over long typing sessions by promoting a more natural hand and wrist posture. However, the most significant factor is your skill, not the tool. A proficient touch typist will be fast on almost any keyboard.
After mastering your typing skills, ensure your finances are just as efficient. Use our Paycheck Calculator to see how your earnings break down each pay period. You can also explore how different payment schedules might work for you with the Bi-weekly Paycheck Calculator.
