Typing Speed

How to take the test

1. Start typing the displayed passage. The timer begins with your first keystroke.
2. Type the text as accurately as you can.
3. Read your words-per-minute and accuracy figures at the end.

Typing faster

• Prioritise accuracy over speed. Corrections cost far more time than typing slightly slower would have, so accurate typing is usually faster overall.
• Learn touch typing properly with fingers resting on the home row. Looking at the keyboard imposes a hard ceiling on your speed.
• Keep your eyes on the text rather than your hands, so you read ahead of what you are typing.
• Practise in short regular sessions. Fifteen minutes daily builds muscle memory far more effectively than occasional long ones.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good typing speed?

Around 40 words per minute is typical for an average adult. Regular computer users often reach 60 to 80, and professional typists exceed 100.

How is words per minute calculated?

Using a standard five-character word including spaces, so total characters typed are divided by five and then by the elapsed minutes. This keeps results comparable across passages.

Should I fix my mistakes as I type?

It depends on how the test scores accuracy, but in general typing accurately from the outset beats typing fast and correcting, because backspacing costs more time than it saves.