How the typing speed test works
Click the box and start typing the passage. The timer starts on your first key press, so take a breath first. Correct letters turn dark, mistakes are highlighted, and you can use backspace to fix them. When the time runs out, you get your speed in words per minute (WPM), your accuracy and the number of mistakes.
Like most typing tests and employers, we count every 5 characters as one word, including spaces and punctuation. Your headline WPM only counts correct characters, so careless speed doesn't pay. Raw WPM shows what you typed before mistakes are taken off.
What is a good typing speed?
| Words per minute | Level |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | Beginner, still looking at the keys |
| 25 to 40 | Average adult typist |
| 40 to 55 | Above average, good for most office jobs |
| 55 to 70 | Fast |
| 70 to 90 | Very fast, professional level |
| 90 and above | Exceptional |
Many office and admin job adverts ask for around 40 to 50 WPM, while transcription and data entry roles often look for 60 WPM or more with high accuracy.
How to type faster
- Use the home row. Rest your left fingers on A S D F and your right fingers on J K L ;. The small bumps on F and J help you find them without looking.
- Stop looking at the keyboard. It feels slower for a week or two, then your speed jumps.
- Accuracy first. Fixing mistakes costs more time than typing a little slower.
- Practise little and often. Ten minutes a day beats an hour once a week.
- Sit well. Keep your wrists level and your screen at eye height.
Want to challenge your brain too? Try the IQ style reasoning test.
