Typing Speed Test (WPM)

Typing Speed Benchmarks: What Is a Good WPM?

Words per minute (WPM) is the standard measurement of typing speed. The average person types between 40 and 50 WPM, while professional typists and programmers often reach 70 to 100 WPM. Competitive speed typists can exceed 150 WPM, with world records surpassing 200 WPM on sustained passages.

How WPM Is Calculated

A "word" in typing tests is standardized to 5 characters, including spaces. This means a 250-character passage equals 50 words. Gross WPM is the total number of standard words typed divided by the elapsed time in minutes. Net WPM (the more meaningful metric) subtracts errors from the count, giving you a true measure of effective typing speed. For example, if you type 60 gross WPM but make 5 uncorrected errors per minute, your net WPM would be 55.

Average Typing Speeds by Context

• Hunt-and-peck typists: 15-25 WPM. Using two fingers and looking at the keyboard with each keystroke.
• Casual typists: 30-40 WPM. Most people who use a computer regularly but have never practiced touch typing.
• Touch typists: 50-70 WPM. Those who have learned proper finger placement and can type without looking at the keyboard.
• Professionals: 70-100 WPM. Writers, programmers, data entry specialists, and others who type for a living.
• Speed typists: 100-150+ WPM. Dedicated practitioners who have optimized their technique, often using alternative keyboard layouts like Dvorak or Colemak.

Tips to Improve Your Typing Speed

• Learn touch typing: Place your fingers on the home row (ASDF for the left hand, JKL; for the right) and train each finger to cover specific keys. This is the single biggest improvement most people can make.
• Focus on accuracy first: Speed follows accuracy. If you type with fewer errors, you spend less time correcting mistakes, and your effective WPM naturally increases.
• Practice regularly: Even 10-15 minutes of daily practice yields measurable improvement within a few weeks. Consistency beats intensity.
• Do not look at the keyboard: Force yourself to keep your eyes on the screen. It will feel slower at first, but within days your muscle memory will improve dramatically.
• Use proper posture: Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your wrists neutral (not resting on the desk) and your elbows at roughly 90 degrees. Poor ergonomics cause fatigue and slow you down.
• Gradually increase difficulty: Start with simple passages and progressively tackle harder text with punctuation, numbers, and special characters. This builds fluency across the entire keyboard.

Why Typing Speed Matters

In an era where most knowledge work happens on a keyboard, typing speed directly impacts productivity. A programmer typing at 80 WPM instead of 40 WPM does not just save time on raw character input — they maintain better flow state because their fingers can keep up with their thoughts. The same applies to writers, customer support agents, students, and anyone who communicates through text. Improving your typing speed is one of the highest-leverage skills you can develop for digital productivity.