What is Typing Speed (WPM)?
Typing speed is measured in WPM (Words Per Minute), which indicates how many words you can type in one minute. It's calculated by dividing the total characters typed by 5 (the standard word length) and then by the time elapsed in minutes.
A typing speed test measures both your speed and accuracy, providing insights into your overall typing proficiency. Higher accuracy with reasonable speed is generally more valuable than raw speed with many errors.
Average Typing Speeds
| Category | WPM Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 10-25 WPM | Learning to type, hunt and peck method |
| Average | 35-45 WPM | Typical office worker speed |
| Proficient | 50-65 WPM | Good for most jobs requiring typing |
| Advanced | 65-80 WPM | Professional typist level |
| Expert | 80+ WPM | Court reporters, transcriptionists |
Why Typing Speed Matters
- Productivity: Faster typing means completing documents, emails, and reports more quickly
- Career Opportunities: Many jobs require minimum typing speeds (40-60 WPM for data entry, 80+ for transcription)
- Communication: Quick typing enables faster real-time chat and messaging
- Learning: Students benefit from faster note-taking and assignment completion
- Programming: Developers write code faster, though thinking speed often matters more
Tips for the Typing Test
- Warm up: Take a practice run before your actual test
- Good posture: Sit upright with feet flat, wrists neutral
- Focus on accuracy: Errors cost more time than typing slightly slower
- Don't look down: Keep eyes on the screen, not the keyboard
- Breathe: Stay relaxed to avoid tension in hands and fingers