How this typing speed test works
A typing speed test measures how quickly and accurately you can reproduce a piece of text. This tool shows you a short passage; the moment you press your first key the timer starts, and it stops automatically when your typed text reaches the length of the passage (or when you press Done). It then reports your raw words per minute, your net WPM, your accuracy and the time you took.
Words per minute uses a standard word length of five characters — that way "the" and "establishment" are counted fairly by length rather than by counting actual words. Your raw WPM is the characters you typed divided by five, then divided by the minutes elapsed. Accuracy is the share of characters that match the target passage, and net WPM trims your raw speed to reflect the mistakes you made.
Typing speed benchmarks
| Level | WPM | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Under 30 | Still learning the keys, often looking at the keyboard. |
| Average | ~40 | Typical adult speed; comfortable for everyday writing. |
| Fast | 60 | Confident touch typist; quick at email and notes. |
| Professional | 80+ | Transcribers, programmers and pro typists. |
Frequently asked questions
- What is a good typing speed?
- Around 40 WPM is average for adults. Above 60 WPM is fast, and professionals often reach 80 WPM or more. For everyday work, a comfortable, accurate 50–60 WPM is plenty.
- How is WPM calculated?
- WPM uses a standard word length of five characters: take the characters you typed, divide by five to get words, then divide by minutes elapsed. So WPM = (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes.
- What is the average typing speed?
- The average typing speed is about 40 WPM. Many regular typists sit between 35 and 45 WPM, while touch typists tend to be faster.
- How can I type faster?
- Use touch typing with all ten fingers, keep your eyes on the screen rather than the keys, and prioritise accuracy first — speed follows. Regular short practice sessions beat occasional long ones.
- What is net WPM and accuracy?
- Accuracy is the share of characters you typed correctly compared with the target passage, as a percentage. Net WPM adjusts your raw speed for mistakes, so more errors lower your net WPM even at the same raw speed.
- Does this typing test work on mobile?
- Yes. It runs in any modern browser, including phones and tablets. The on-screen keyboard works, though most people type faster on a physical keyboard, so your mobile result may be lower.