How the Typing Test Works
Choose a duration and start typing the words shown. The timer begins with your first keystroke, so there’s no rush to start. Correct characters turn dark, mistakes turn orange and stay underlined, and the cursor shows where you are.
When time runs out, the test shows:
- WPM — net words per minute: correct characters ÷ 5 ÷ minutes.
- Raw WPM — all characters typed ÷ 5 ÷ minutes.
- Accuracy — the share of characters you typed correctly.
- Errors — characters that didn’t match.
The text uses 300+ of the most common English words, so the test measures your typing rather than your spelling. Paste is blocked to keep scores honest.
Typing Speed Benchmarks
| WPM | Level |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Beginner; often looking at the keys |
| 30–50 | Average |
| 50–70 | Good — comfortable for most jobs |
| 70–100 | Fast — professional typists, programmers |
| 100+ | Very fast; competitive typists |
Many jobs that list a typing requirement ask for around 40–60 WPM at 95% accuracy or higher.
How to Improve Your Typing Speed
Learn the Home Row
Rest your left fingers on A S D F and your right on J K L ;. The small bumps on F and J let you find them without looking. Every key is reached from this position.
Accuracy Before Speed
Mistakes cost more than slow typing because you have to notice and fix them. Slow down until you’re above 95% accuracy, then speed up gradually.
Don’t Look Down
Looking at the keyboard breaks your rhythm. Touch typing feels slow at first, but it’s the only way past about 50 WPM.
Practise Little and Often
Ten minutes a day improves speed faster than an hour once a week. Short 1-minute tests are perfect for daily practice.
When the Keyboard Is the Problem
If letters appear twice, use the keyboard chatter test. If keys go missing when you type fast, it may be a rollover limit — check it with the key rollover test.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Good Typing Speed?
The average adult types around 40 WPM. 60–70 WPM is good for office work, 80–100 WPM is fast, and above 120 WPM is exceptional. Accuracy matters too — aim for 95% or higher.
What Is the Difference Between WPM and Raw WPM?
Raw WPM counts every character you typed. Net WPM (the main score) counts only correct characters, so mistakes lower it. The gap between the two shows how much your errors cost you.
How Is a Word Counted?
Typing tests count every 5 characters, including spaces, as one word. This makes scores comparable regardless of whether the text has short or long words.
How Can I Type Faster?
Learn touch typing so you don't look at the keys, keep your fingers on the home row, and practise accuracy first. Speed follows once your fingers know where every key is. Short, daily practice works better than occasional long sessions.
Does My Keyboard Affect Typing Speed?
A little. A comfortable keyboard with consistent key feel helps, but technique matters far more. If letters go missing or double up, test the keyboard itself — it might be a hardware fault.
Related Tests
- Key Rollover TestHold down as many keys as you can and see how many your keyboard reports at the same time.
- Keyboard TestPress every key and watch it light up — the fastest way to find a dead, sticky or misbehaving key.
- Keyboard Chatter TestTap each key normally and find any switch that types a letter twice from a single press.
Last updated · Part of our keyboard tests.