Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). The standard counts one word as five characters, so 300 correct characters in a minute is 60 WPM. Speed only counts if it is accurate, so the goal is to type fast without making many mistakes. Here is what is considered good, and how to improve.
Take the free typing speed test (30 or 60 seconds, shows WPM and accuracy, no login).
| WPM | Rough level |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Beginner, usually looking at the keys |
| 30-45 | Around average for everyday typing |
| 45-60 | Comfortable for most office work |
| 60-80 | Good |
| 80-100 | Very good |
| 100+ | Fast, usually a trained touch typist |
These bands are rough rules of thumb, not an official standard. Different tests use different texts, so scores differ a little from one site to the next.
Check your speed with the typing speed test, count your text with the word counter, and train related skills with the brain games, such as reaction time and click speed. For a daily puzzle break, play Rankle.
WPM means words per minute. By convention one word is counted as 5 characters, including spaces, so 300 correct characters typed in one minute is 60 WPM.
Commonly, 40 WPM is seen as average for everyday typing, 60 to 80 WPM as good and above 100 WPM as very fast. Accuracy matters as much as speed, because correcting mistakes slows you down.
Most people who practise 15 to 20 minutes a day notice an improvement within a few weeks. How much you gain depends on your starting point and on whether you practise accurately.
Touch typing, typing without looking at the keys, is the most reliable route to high speeds because your eyes stay on the text. It feels slow at first, so expect your speed to dip before it climbs.