Typing Test – Check Your WPM Speed

Test your typing speed and accuracy with our free online tool. Get instant results in words per minute.

How This Typing Test Works

Click anywhere and start typing. As soon as you press a key, the clock starts. Space goes to the next word. You can set how long you want at the top. 15 seconds if you just want a quick number, 120 if you want something more accurate. Results pop up when time’s up.

What Your WPM Score Actually Means

Got your result? Here’s where you stand.

Under 30 WPM means you’re still learning. Probably looking at the keyboard a lot. Best thing you can do right now is force yourself to keep your eyes on the screen. Yeah it’s annoying at first. Do it anyway.

30 to 40 WPM is below average but you can function. Most people who never bothered learning proper typing end up here. Usually the two-finger crowd.

40 to 60 WPM is average. Tons of people type in this range and do their jobs fine. Nothing wrong with it.

60 to 80 WPM is solid. You type faster than most people. Data entry jobs want you in this range. Emails fly out, reports get done.

80 to 100 WPM is professional level. Transcriptionists, executive assistants, people who type for a living. You’re probably using all ten fingers without thinking about it.

100+ WPM is rare. Maybe 1% of people. The competitive typing scene has people hitting 150, 180, sometimes 200+. Those folks have been practicing for years though.

WPM for Different Jobs

Wondering if your typing speed cuts it for work?

General office work needs about 40 WPM. Emails, documents, nothing crazy. Most companies won’t even test you.

Admins and secretaries should be closer to 50 or 60 WPM. You’re handling more volume. Meeting notes, letters, that kind of thing.

Data entry is where they actually care about your numbers. 60 to 80 WPM with high accuracy gets you hired. Errors cost money here, so don’t sacrifice precision for speed.

Medical and legal transcription needs 80+ WPM. You’re typing what you hear in real time, often with specialized terminology. It’s demanding work that pays accordingly.

Court reporters are the speed demons of the typing world. They use stenotype machines and hit 200+ WPM. Regular keyboard tests don’t even apply to them.

Why Accuracy Matters More Than Speed

Nobody cares if you type 80 WPM when half of it is wrong. You’ll just spend all that time fixing mistakes. Backspace, retype, backspace, retype. All that adds up.

Someone doing 50 WPM with almost no errors will finish faster than someone doing 70 WPM with typos everywhere. Just how it works.

Get your accuracy over 95% before you start pushing speed. Bad habits are hard to break later.

The Difference Between WPM and Raw WPM

Notice the test shows two numbers: WPM and raw WPM. They’re measuring different things.

WPM counts only characters you got right. It’s your “clean” speed. This is the number employers care about.

Raw WPM counts everything you typed, mistakes included. If there’s a big gap between raw and regular WPM, you’re making too many errors. That gap is basically wasted effort.

Say your raw WPM is 65 but your WPM is 55. That 10 word difference is all mistakes. You typed 65 words worth of characters but only 55 counted. Slow down a bit and that gap closes.

Getting Faster Without Losing Accuracy

So you want to improve. Here’s what actually works.

First, learn where your fingers go. A, S, D, F for left hand. J, K, L, semicolon for right. Thumbs on space. Every finger has assigned keys. This feels awkward at first but it’s non-negotiable for serious speed.

Don’t look at the keyboard. Cover it with a cloth if you have to. Your hands need to learn through feel, not sight. Yes, you’ll type slower at first. Push through it.

Do it a little bit every day instead of cramming. Your fingers need time to remember the motions.

Work on problem keys. Everyone has them. Maybe it’s the B key or the numbers row. Identify what slows you down and drill those specifically.

When your accuracy tanks, walk away. Tired hands make more errors. Rest up and try again later.

Understanding Your Results

The test throws a bunch of numbers at you. Here’s what they mean.

WPM is your main score. Higher is better, assuming accuracy stays up.

Accuracy tells you what percentage of characters you nailed. Anything under 95% means slow down.

Characters breaks down into four numbers: correct, incorrect, extra, and missed. “Extra” means you typed more letters than the word had. “Missed” means you skipped letters, usually by hitting space too early.

The graph tracks your speed during the test. You’ll probably see your speed jump around. Some words are easy, some trip you up. That’s normal.

Common Typing Test Questions

How long does it take to get faster?

If you’re at 30 WPM now and practice every day, you could hit 50 in a few weeks. Getting to 80 takes longer, probably a couple months. Triple digits takes real dedication over a long time.

Why is my score different every time?

Word sets change. Some words are easier than others. Plus you’re not a robot. Tired, distracted, caffeinated, whatever. Run a few tests and take the average.

Should I put my typing speed on my resume?

Only if the job involves heavy typing. Data entry, admin work, transcription, yes. Software engineering or sales? Nobody cares. If you do list it, include accuracy too.

Does the keyboard matter?

Some people swear by mechanical keyboards. They can feel nicer. But honestly, someone who types well on a $20 keyboard will beat someone who types poorly on a $200 one. Practice matters more than gear.

What’s the world record for typing speed?

Somewhere around 212 WPM for sustained typing on a regular keyboard. Competitive typists who’ve trained for years.