What is a good typing speed?

For general office work, 60+ WPM at 95%+ accuracy is comfortable. The average adult types around 40 WPM. The top quartile of office workers cluster between 80 and 100 WPM. Above 120 is competitive-typist territory. Take our free 60-second typing test to measure where you sit on the curve.

How is words per minute (WPM) calculated?

WPM is calculated from 5-character blocks, not actual words: WPM = correct_characters / 5 / minutes_elapsed. The 5-character convention exists because real words vary in length — "I" and "encyclopedia" both count as one word but take very different times to type. Counting in fixed-width blocks normalises the metric across passages.

How can I improve my typing speed?

Three highest-leverage habits, in order: Touch type — eyes on screen, fingers on home row. Hunt-and-peck caps speed at ~30 WPM no matter how much you practise. Accuracy first. Below 95% accuracy, raw speed is meaningless because backspacing eats your time. Daily practice — 15 minutes a day for two weeks beats one 3-hour session. Take the free 60-second typing test to baseline your speed, then track weekly.

Typing Speed FAQ

WPM benchmarks, how typing tests work, and how to improve your speed.

What is a good typing speed?
How is words per minute (WPM) calculated?
How can I improve my typing speed?