What is words per minute (WPM)?
Words per minute, or WPM, is the standard way to measure typing speed. Because words vary in length, the typing community uses a standard definition: one "word" equals five characters, including spaces and punctuation. If you type 200 characters in one minute, your typing speed is 200 ÷ 5 = 40 WPM.
There are two types of WPM that matter:
- Gross WPM counts every character you typed, including mistakes. It measures raw speed.
- Net WPM subtracts your errors from the gross total. It measures your effective, usable speed.
Our typing test shows both numbers so you can see the full picture. If your gross WPM is high but your net WPM is much lower, it means you are typing fast but making too many mistakes. The goal is to bring both numbers close together.
What is a good typing speed?
The average typing speed for adults is about 40 words per minute. That is fast enough for casual use, but many jobs expect more. Here is a general guide:
- 40 WPM — average. Good enough for everyday tasks like emails and chat.
- 60 WPM — above average. Comfortable for most office work, writing reports and coding.
- 80 WPM — fast. You are faster than most people and can handle transcription work.
- 100+ WPM — expert level. You type faster than about 99% of the population.
For data entry and transcription jobs, employers typically require 60 to 80 WPM with at least 95% accuracy. For general office work, 50 WPM is usually enough.
How to improve your typing speed
Improving your typing speed is mostly about building good habits and practising consistently. Here are the techniques that work best:
- Learn to touch type. Place your fingers on the home row (A-S-D-F for the left hand, J-K-L-; for the right) and type without looking at the keyboard. This is the single biggest improvement most people can make.
- Focus on accuracy first. Speed comes naturally once your fingers know where every key is. Slow down until you can type a full paragraph with no errors, then gradually increase your pace.
- Practise 15 to 30 minutes a day. Short, regular sessions are more effective than occasional long ones. Take our typing test each day to track your progress.
- Use all ten fingers. Many fast two-finger typists plateau around 40 to 50 WPM. Switching to ten fingers feels slow at first but unlocks much higher speeds.
- Keep your wrists straight. Good posture reduces strain and helps you type faster for longer. Your wrists should float above the keyboard, not rest on the desk.
Most people who practise daily see a 10 to 20 WPM improvement within two to three weeks. The key is consistency: even five minutes of focused practice every day is better than an hour once a week.
Typing speed by age and profession
Typing speed varies widely depending on age, experience and how much someone uses a keyboard. Here are some typical ranges:
- Children (8–12): 15 to 25 WPM. They are still developing motor skills and keyboard familiarity.
- Teenagers (13–17): 30 to 45 WPM. Many teenagers type daily for school and social media.
- Adults (general): 38 to 42 WPM. The average based on large-scale typing studies.
- Office workers: 50 to 70 WPM. Regular keyboard use builds speed over time.
- Programmers: 50 to 80 WPM. Code involves more special characters, which can slow the raw number.
- Professional typists: 80 to 120 WPM. Trained touch typists who type for a living.
- World record: over 200 WPM. The fastest typists in the world can sustain speeds above 200 WPM on standard text.
How this typing test works
When you click "Start typing test", a passage of text appears on screen and the timer begins. Type the text exactly as shown, including capital letters, punctuation and spaces. The test highlights each character in green (correct) or red (error) as you type, so you can see your mistakes in real time.
When the timer reaches zero, the test stops automatically and calculates your result. You see your gross WPM, net WPM, accuracy percentage, total characters typed and number of errors. You can then download a free certificate or retake the test with a different passage.
The passages are original paragraphs written at a comfortable reading level. They cover everyday topics like technology, health, travel and nature, so the words are familiar and the test measures your typing ability, not your vocabulary.
Why accuracy matters more than speed
It is tempting to focus on hitting the highest WPM possible, but accuracy is actually more important in real-world typing. Every error you make takes time to notice and correct. Studies show that correcting a single typo takes about 1.5 seconds on average, which means five errors in a minute can cost you more time than typing slowly and getting it right the first time.
Employers who test typing speed always look at accuracy alongside WPM. A score of 60 WPM with 98% accuracy is more useful than 80 WPM with 90% accuracy. Our test shows both metrics so you can work on the right balance.
Frequently asked questions
How is typing speed measured?
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). One "word" is defined as five characters, including spaces. Your WPM is calculated by dividing the total number of correctly typed characters by five, then dividing by the number of minutes elapsed.
What is a good typing speed?
The average typing speed is about 40 WPM. A speed of 60 to 70 WPM is considered above average and is enough for most office jobs. Professional typists and programmers often type at 80 to 100 WPM or more. Touch typists who practise regularly can reach 120 WPM and beyond.
How accurate is this typing test?
Our test uses the standard five-character word definition used by typing certification programmes worldwide. It measures both gross WPM (total characters typed divided by five, divided by time) and net WPM (gross WPM minus errors). The result also shows your accuracy percentage.
Do I need to create an account?
No. You do not need to sign up, log in or provide any personal information. Your result appears instantly when the timer ends, and you can download a free certificate without an account.
Can I get a certificate for my typing speed?
Yes. After you finish the test, you can download a free printable certificate showing your WPM, accuracy and the test duration. You type your name on the certificate page — we never save it.
How can I improve my typing speed?
Use all ten fingers and avoid looking at the keyboard (touch typing). Practise for 15 to 30 minutes a day with a focus on accuracy first, then speed. Take our test regularly to track your progress. Most people see noticeable improvement within two to three weeks of daily practice.
What is the difference between gross WPM and net WPM?
Gross WPM counts every character you typed, including mistakes. Net WPM subtracts your errors from the gross total. Net WPM is the more meaningful number because it reflects both speed and accuracy.
Does this test work on a phone?
The test works on any device with a keyboard, including phones and tablets with on-screen keyboards. However, typing speed tests are most meaningful on a physical keyboard because on-screen keyboards involve tapping rather than touch typing.