Typing speed test: check your WPM and accuracy
Type the passage as quickly and accurately as you can. The timer starts with your first key, and you see words per minute, raw speed and accuracy update live. Choose 30, 60 or 120 seconds.
How the typing speed test works
The test shows a short passage and starts a timer when you press your first key. As you type, each character is checked against the passage. Correct characters turn green, mistakes turn red and the next character is highlighted. When the timer ends, the tool works out your words per minute from the correct characters, so mistakes lower your score and rushing does not pay.
By convention one word is five characters, including spaces and punctuation. Words per minute is the number of correct characters divided by five, divided by the minutes taken. Raw speed counts every character, correct or not, so a large gap between raw speed and WPM tells you accuracy is costing you time.
Typing speed guide
Rough levels for adult typists, measured in words per minute with high accuracy.
| Level | Words per minute | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Under 30 | Still looking at the keys |
| Average | 35 to 45 | Most adults |
| Good | 50 to 65 | Typical in office work |
| Fast | 70 to 90 | Regular practice |
| Very fast | Over 90 | Professional or competitive |
What is a good typing speed
The average adult types at roughly 40 words per minute on a standard keyboard. Beginners are often under 30. Fifty to sixty-five is a good office speed, and above seventy is fast. Competitive typists reach well over 100. These are rough guides, and what matters in practice is that you can type without looking at the keys and without many mistakes.
Accuracy matters as much as speed. Fixing mistakes takes time, so most coaches recommend aiming for at least 95 percent accuracy before you push for more speed. If your accuracy drops when you speed up, slow down slightly and build the pace gradually. Short daily sessions work better than a long weekly one, and a ten minute habit is enough to see steady gains within a few weeks.
Improving your speed and gaming benefits
Use all ten fingers and keep your eyes on the screen. Place your fingers on the home row and reach for other keys without lifting your hands far. Practise common letter pairs and whole words instead of single letters, and keep your wrists relaxed and your posture upright. A good keyboard helps comfort, but technique matters more than hardware.
Fast typing also helps gamers who use chat, macros and quick commands. If you also want to check that your keys are working, use the keyboard tester. To train reflexes, try the aim trainer and the reaction time test.
How to use the typing speed test
- Choose a test length.
- Click in the typing box and start typing the passage.
- Keep going. A new passage appears if you finish early.
- When the timer ends, read your WPM, raw speed and accuracy.
- Press Try again for a new passage and compare your score.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Stopping to fix every mistake, which costs more time than it saves.
- Looking at the keyboard instead of the screen.
- Racing for speed with low accuracy, so correct words per minute falls.
Related tools and guides
Keep going with these: Keyboard tester, Aim trainer, reaction time test, click speed test, best graphics cards guide.
Frequently asked questions
How is WPM calculated in a typing test?
Words per minute is the number of correct characters typed divided by five, then divided by the minutes taken. Five characters count as one word, including spaces. Mistakes are not counted, so accuracy directly raises your score. Raw WPM counts all characters.
What is a good typing speed?
The average adult types about 40 words per minute. Fifty to sixty-five is good for office work, and above seventy is fast. Aim for at least 95 percent accuracy before chasing more speed, because corrections cost more time than slow typing.
How can I type faster?
Use all ten fingers, keep your eyes on the screen and rest your fingers on the home row. Practise a little every day, work on accuracy before speed and learn common words and letter pairs. Relax your hands and keep good posture.
Is my typing recorded?
No. The test runs in your browser and nothing you type is stored or sent anywhere. The passages are written for this tool. Close the page and the result disappears, so write down your score if you want to track progress.
Why is my raw speed higher than my WPM?
Raw speed counts every character you typed, including mistakes, while WPM counts only the correct ones. A big gap means mistakes are costing you speed. Slow down a little, focus on accuracy and the two figures will move closer together.
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