How is typing speed measured?

Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). A word is counted as 5 characters, spaces included, so long and short words are scored fairly. This test adds up the characters in the words you typed correctly, plus the space after each one, divides by 5, and divides by the minutes the test took.

What is the average typing speed?

A 2018 study by researchers at Aalto University and the University of Cambridge looked at about 168,000 people who took an online typing test and found an average of about 52 WPM. People who chose to take a typing test online may be faster than the general public, so the true average is likely lower.

What is the difference between WPM and raw WPM?

WPM only counts words you typed exactly right. Raw WPM counts every character you typed, mistakes included. A big gap between the two means mistakes are costing you speed.

Why did my accuracy go down even though I fixed my mistake?

Accuracy is the share of your key presses that were right when you pressed them. A wrong letter still counts as a wrong key press after you delete it, because it took you time to type and fix. Backspace itself is not counted.

Can I go back and fix a word I already finished?

No. You can use Backspace to fix the word you are on, but once you press Space that word is final and the test moves on. A word you skip or leave with mistakes counts as wrong.

Which test length should I choose?

60 seconds is the most common length and the best one for comparing scores with others. Scores on 15 second tests are usually higher, since it is easy to keep up full speed for a short burst. 120 seconds shows how well you hold your speed.

Why is my score lower with punctuation and numbers on?

Capital letters need Shift, and commas, periods, question marks, and numbers sit away from the home row, so your fingers travel further. Most real writing has punctuation, so this setting is closer to how you type day to day.

Does the typing speed test work on a phone or tablet?

Yes. Tap the text to open the on-screen keyboard and start typing. Scores on a touch screen are usually lower than on a physical keyboard. If words change by themselves, turn off autocorrect in your keyboard settings.

Is my typing saved or sent anywhere?

No. The test runs entirely in your browser and nothing you type is uploaded. The only thing kept is your best WPM for each test length and setting, which is saved in this browser so you can track your progress.

Typing Speed Test

Find out how fast you type. Type the words below and get your words per minute (WPM) and accuracy when time runs out. The timer starts with your first key, and nothing you type leaves your browser.

PunctuationNumbers

Time left: 60s
WPM: -
Accuracy: -

Click here to start typing

The timer starts with your first key. Press Space after each word. Press Esc for new text.

What the typing speed test does

The typing speed test shows a stream of random words picked from about 200 of the most common English words. You type them for 15, 30, 60, or 120 seconds, and the test marks each letter as right or wrong while you go. At the end it shows your speed in words per minute, your accuracy, and the words you got wrong, so you know what to practice.

Why use our typing speed test

·Free. No signup, no paywall, no limit on tests.
·Private. Your typing stays on your device and is never uploaded.
·Standard scoring. WPM uses the usual 5 characters per word, so your score compares with other typing tests.
·Tracks your progress. Your best score for each test length is saved in your browser.

How to take a typing speed test

1
Pick a test length
Choose 15, 30, 60, or 120 seconds. 60 seconds is the usual length for comparing scores. Turn on Punctuation or Numbers if you want a harder test.
2
Start typing
Type the words in the box. The timer starts with your first key, so take your time getting ready. Letters turn dark when they are right and red when they are wrong.
3
Press Space after each word
Space moves you to the next word. You can use Backspace to fix the word you are on, but once you press Space that word is final.
4
Read your results
When time runs out you see your words per minute (WPM), accuracy, and the words you got wrong. Press Try again or Esc for a new test.

How WPM and typing accuracy are calculated

Words have different lengths, so typing tests do not count real words. Every 5 characters, spaces included, count as one word. Your WPM is worked out like this:

WPM = (characters in correct words + spaces) ÷ 5 ÷ minutes

For example, if you type 250 characters of correct words and spaces in a 60 second test, your speed is 250 ÷ 5 ÷ 1 = 50 WPM. The same 250 characters in a 30 second test would be 100 WPM.

·WPM only counts words you typed exactly right. A word with one wrong letter adds nothing. If time runs out partway through a word, the letters you typed still count as long as they are right so far.
·Raw WPM counts every character you typed, right or wrong. It shows how fast your fingers move before mistakes are taken out.
·Accuracy is the share of your key presses that were right. Mistakes you fix still count against it. Pressing Space before you finish a word also counts as a mistake.
·Extra and missed characters are letters typed past the end of a word, and letters you skipped by pressing Space early.

What is a good typing speed?

A 2018 study of about 168,000 people who took an online typing test found an average of about 52 WPM. Use the ranges below as a rough guide. They are not an official standard. If you need a speed for a job, check the number the listing asks for and the kind of test it uses.

Speed	What it means
Under 30 WPM	Typical while learning, or when you look at the keys to type.
30 to 50 WPM	Below average, but enough for everyday email and chat.
50 to 70 WPM	Around or above average.
70 to 100 WPM	Fast. Usually takes touch typing and regular practice.
Over 100 WPM	Very fast. Few people reach this.

How to improve your typing speed

Most people get faster by changing how they type, not by trying to move their fingers faster.

·Learn the home row. Rest your left fingers on A, S, D, F and your right fingers on J, K, L, and the semicolon key. The small bumps on F and J let you find this spot without looking. Each finger then covers the keys above and below it.
·Stop looking at the keyboard. Looking down breaks your reading of the text. You will be slower at first, but typing without looking is what lets you keep speeding up.
·Get accurate first, then fast. Each mistake costs you the word in WPM, plus the time to notice it and fix it. If your accuracy is under about 95%, slow down until it goes up. Speed follows.
·Keep a steady rhythm. Typing at an even pace is faster overall than bursts of speed followed by pauses to fix errors. Read a word or two ahead of the one you are typing.
·Practice little and often. A few short tests every day help more than one long session a week. Use the same test length each time so your scores are easy to compare.