What is a good typing speed?
Most adults type somewhere around 35 to 45 words per minute. Here is how speeds usually compare, how WPM is measured, and how to move up a band.
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Typing speed bands
These are rough, commonly quoted ranges for English text, not official standards.
How WPM is measured
One “word” is counted as five characters, including spaces. Your WPM is the number of correctly typed characters divided by five, per minute. Raw WPM counts every keystroke. Accuracy is the share of keystrokes that were right.
How to get faster
- Learn to touch type if you do not already. It is the biggest single jump.
- Practise accuracy first; aim for 95% or better.
- Little and often: ten focused minutes a day.
- Drill the keys you miss most.
Ready? Take a 1 minute typing test or start the lessons.
Questions
What is the average typing speed?
Around 40 WPM is often quoted for adults, with most people somewhere between 35 and 45 WPM.
Is 60 WPM good?
Yes. 60 WPM is comfortably above average and fast enough for almost any job.
What WPM do jobs ask for?
Many office roles ask for around 40 to 50 WPM. Data entry and transcription roles often look for 60 WPM or more.
Ready when you are
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