What Is a Good Typing Speed? WPM Averages and How to Test Yours
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), where a 'word' is standardised to five characters. Averages vary by profession and practice, but the bands below are a reliable benchmark — and testing yourself takes exactly one minute.
Last updated: July 2026
The average typing speed is about 40 WPM. 60–80 WPM is good for most professional work, 80–100 WPM is fast, and 100+ WPM is elite territory typically reached with touch typing. Accuracy matters as much as speed — aim for 95%+ before chasing higher WPM.
Free 60-second typing speed test. Measure your WPM, accuracy and errors with live per-character feedback — instant, in-browser, nothing is uploaded.
Step by step
- Open the free Typing Speed Test.
- Start typing the passage — the 60-second timer starts on your first keystroke.
- Watch live WPM and accuracy as you type.
- Read your final score and retry with a new passage to confirm it.
WPM benchmarks
Under 30 WPM suggests hunt-and-peck typing. 30–45 WPM is the general average. 45–65 WPM is comfortable for office work, 65–90 WPM is genuinely quick, and beyond 90 WPM you're faster than the vast majority of typists. Professional transcriptionists work at 80–100+ WPM with near-perfect accuracy.
Why accuracy beats raw speed
Every error costs more than the keystroke — you notice it, backtrack and retype. A 70 WPM typist at 98% accuracy outproduces an 85 WPM typist at 90%. Slow down until errors are rare, then speed follows.
How to get faster
Learn touch typing (all ten fingers, eyes off the keyboard), practise in short daily sessions, and test weekly to track progress. Gains of 10–20 WPM within a couple of months are normal when switching from two-finger typing.
FAQ
How is WPM calculated?
Correctly typed characters ÷ 5 ÷ minutes elapsed. The five-character 'word' standardises scores across passages.
Is 40 WPM good enough for a job?
For most office roles, yes — job listings that specify typing speed usually ask for 35–45 WPM. Data-entry and transcription roles often want 60–80+.
Is my typing recorded?
No — the test runs entirely in your browser and nothing you type leaves the page.
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