Typing Speed Test
Click the box and type the text below. The timer starts on your first keystroke.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed (WPM)?
The average typing speed is around 40 words per minute. 60–70 WPM is good, and professional typists often exceed 100 WPM with high accuracy.
How can I type faster?
Learn touch typing (all ten fingers without looking), prioritise accuracy before speed, and practise regularly. Speed follows once the motions become automatic.
How is WPM calculated?
One "word" is standardised as 5 characters. WPM is the number of characters you typed divided by 5, per minute, adjusted for the mistakes you made.
What is the fastest typing speed ever recorded?
Stella Pajunas famously reached 216 WPM on an IBM electric typewriter in 1946, a record still cited today. On modern keyboards, top competitive typists sustain well over 200 WPM in short online bursts. For context, even 100 WPM puts you far ahead of most people.
Is it worth switching from hunt-and-peck to touch typing?
Yes, though expect a temporary dip: your speed drops for a couple of weeks while your fingers learn the home-row positions. Most people pass their old hunt-and-peck speed within a month of daily practice, and touch typing also frees your eyes to stay on the screen and reduces fatigue.
How long does it take to learn touch typing?
With focused practice of 15–30 minutes a day, most learners memorise the key positions in about two weeks and reach a comfortable 40–50 WPM within two to three months. Consistency matters far more than session length — short daily drills beat occasional marathons.
Why does my WPM vary between tests?
Scores naturally swing by 10–20% depending on the passage's vocabulary and punctuation, your familiarity with the keyboard, and even the time of day. This test also draws a random passage each round, so difficulty varies slightly. For a reliable number, take several rounds and use your average, not a single best run.