1 Minute Typing Test
The standard 1-minute typing test. Sixty seconds is the de-facto duration used by every major typing platform — long enough for a stable WPM measurement, short enough to retest endlessly.
0 WPM
100% accuracy
60s
The 1-minute (60-second) typing test is the universal standard. 10FastFingers, monkeytype, TypingClub, Keybr, and most certification platforms default to it. When someone tells you their WPM, they almost always mean their 1-minute typing test score.
Sixty seconds is long enough that you can't sprint through it — your score reflects your sustainable typing speed, not your peak. It's also short enough to take dozens of times in a focused practice session.
What to expect at this duration
60 seconds gives you 40–80 words at typical speeds. Average adults score 38–45 WPM. The top quartile of office workers cluster 80–100. Above 120 WPM is competitive territory. World-record holders exceed 200 WPM on standard QWERTY.
When to use the 1 Minute Typing Test
- The standard self-reported WPM number ('I type at 75 WPM')
- Pre-employment typing assessments for office jobs
- Daily progress tracking on practice apps
- Comparable across the typing community (everyone uses the same duration)
- Job-application typing certificates
How many words will you type in 60 seconds?
Your word output at this duration depends on your speed. Here's roughly how many words you'll complete in 1 minute typing test at each WPM tier — a quick way to set a target before you start:
| Typing speed | Level | Words in 60s |
|---|---|---|
| 20 WPM | Beginner | ~20 words |
| 40 WPM | Average adult | ~40 words |
| 60 WPM | Above average | ~60 words |
| 80 WPM | Fast | ~80 words |
| 100 WPM | Very fast | ~100 words |
| 120 WPM | Elite (top 1%) | ~120 words |
Word counts use the standard WPM = correct_characters / 5 / minutes definition, so "words" here means 5-character blocks. How WPM is calculated →
Frequently asked questions
Why is 1 minute the standard duration?
60 seconds emerged as the industry standard because it's long enough to filter out the noise of short-burst typing while being short enough that anyone can take it without fatigue. Once a few major platforms standardised on it, the rest followed.
What's a good 1-minute typing test score?
Average is 38–45 WPM. 60+ is comfortable for office work. 80+ is fast. 100+ is top-quartile transcriptionist territory. 120+ is competitive typist.
Should I count my errors in WPM?
Standard WPM uses correct characters only:
WPM = correct_characters / 5 / minutes. Errors don't count. Some platforms display 'gross WPM' (including errors) and 'net WPM' (correct only) — net is what matters.Is the 1-minute test enough for job applications?
How do I improve my 1-minute WPM?
Practice daily 15 minutes (more on consecutive days beats one long session). Focus on accuracy first — slow down to 98%+ before pushing speed. Touch type with all 10 fingers. Drill your weakest letters. See The Typing Speed Guide for the full programme.