What Is a Typing Speed Test?

A typing speed test measures how fast and accurately you can type by having you reproduce a passage of text within a set time limit. Results are expressed in WPM (words per minute) — the standard metric used by employers, schools, and typing certification programs worldwide.

The average typing speed for adults is about 40 WPM. Professional typists typically reach 65-75 WPM, while the fastest typists exceed 120 WPM. Your typing speed directly impacts productivity in any role that involves a keyboard.

How to Use This Tool

1. Select a time mode — choose 30 seconds, 60 seconds, or 120 seconds
2. Click on the passage and start typing — the timer begins on your first keystroke
3. Type the displayed text as quickly and accurately as you can
4. View your results when time runs out: WPM, CPM, accuracy percentage, and error count
5. Try again with the Restart button, or get a new passage with New Passage

How WPM Is Calculated

Words per minute uses the standard formula: WPM = (Characters Typed / 5) / Minutes. The divisor of 5 represents the average word length in English, including spaces. This standardized calculation ensures consistent results regardless of the actual words in the passage.

CPM (Characters Per Minute) counts every individual character typed, giving a more granular measurement of raw typing speed.

Accuracy is calculated as: (Correct Characters / Total Characters Typed) × 100. High accuracy matters as much as speed — most employers look for 95%+ accuracy alongside competitive WPM.

Typing Speed Benchmarks

Tips to Improve Your Typing Speed

Use proper finger placement. Home row position (ASDF for the left hand, JKL; for the right) is the foundation of touch typing. Each finger has designated keys it should reach for.

Don’t look at the keyboard. Train your muscle memory by resisting the urge to look down. It’s slower initially but dramatically faster once the habit forms.

Focus on accuracy first. Speed follows accuracy naturally. Correcting errors costs more time than typing slightly slower with fewer mistakes.

Practice regularly. Even 10-15 minutes of daily practice leads to measurable improvement within weeks. Consistency matters more than session length.

Type complete words. Think in words rather than individual letters. Your brain processes familiar word patterns faster than character-by-character input.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good typing speed?

For general office work, 50-60 WPM with 95%+ accuracy is considered good. Data entry and transcription roles typically require 65-80 WPM. Competitive typists often exceed 100 WPM.

How long does it take to improve typing speed?

With daily practice of 15-30 minutes, most people see noticeable improvement within 2-4 weeks. Going from 40 WPM to 60 WPM typically requires consistent practice over 1-3 months.

Does the typing test work on mobile devices?

While the test functions on mobile, typing speed tests are designed for physical keyboards. Touch-screen typing produces significantly different results and isn’t comparable to keyboard WPM benchmarks.

Why does my WPM vary between tests?

Variation is normal. Factors include the specific passage (familiar words vs. uncommon vocabulary), your physical state (tired vs. alert), and the time of day. Take multiple tests and average your results for a reliable measurement.

What’s the difference between WPM and CPM?

WPM divides total characters by 5 (average word length), giving a word-based measurement. CPM counts raw characters per minute. CPM is always about 5 times your WPM.

Try our free letter counter → to analyze your text with detailed word, character, and sentence counts.