How to Test and Improve Your Typing Speed

Knowing your typing speed is the first step toward improving it. Whether you're a student, professional, or developer, your WPM (words per minute) directly impacts how efficiently you work on a computer.

What Is WPM?

WPM stands for Words Per Minute. A "word" in typing tests is standardized as 5 characters (including spaces). So if you type 200 characters in one minute, your speed is 40 WPM. This standardization allows fair comparison regardless of the text content.

What's a Good Typing Speed?

• 20–30 WPM — Beginner (hunt and peck typing)
• 40–50 WPM — Average professional typist
• 60–80 WPM — Above average, efficient for most work
• 80–100+ WPM — Advanced — typical for developers and writers
• 120+ WPM — Expert level, competitive typing territory

Step-by-Step: Test Your Speed

1. Open the tool — Go to our Typing Speed Test.
2. Choose your duration — Select 30 seconds, 1 minute, or 2 minutes depending on how thorough you want the test.
3. Start typing — Type the displayed text as quickly and accurately as possible. The timer starts when you begin.
4. Review results — See your WPM, accuracy percentage, and error count.
5. Retake regularly — Test weekly to track improvement over time.

Tips for Accurate Results

• Take the test when you're alert, not fatigued
• Use a physical keyboard (not a phone) for realistic results
• Take multiple tests and average your scores
• Focus on accuracy first — speed follows naturally

How to Improve

After testing, use our Typing Tutor to practice specific finger positions and problem keys. Consistent daily practice of just 10–15 minutes can increase your speed by 10–20 WPM within a month.

Ready to measure your speed? Try our free Typing Speed Test — instant results, entirely in your browser.