Find your real typing speed.
Enter how much you typed, how long it took and how many mistakes you made to see your net words per minute, your accuracy, and where you land on the skill scale.
Your test
What this means
Typing skill levels
| Level | Net WPM | What it looks like |
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How typing speed works
How Typing Speed Is Measured
Typing speed is measured in Words Per Minute (WPM). A "word" is standardized as 5 characters (including spaces) to normalize results across different texts. Gross WPM measures raw speed: (characters typed / 5) / (time in minutes). Net WPM accounts for errors: Gross WPM minus (errors / minutes). Net WPM is a better indicator of practical typing ability.
Typing Speed Benchmarks
Average typing speed is 40 WPM. Professional typists reach 65-75 WPM. Data entry specialists and transcriptionists often type 80-100 WPM. The fastest typists in the world exceed 200 WPM in short bursts. For most office work, 50-60 WPM with high accuracy is sufficient. Speed without accuracy is counterproductive due to time spent correcting errors.
Improving Your Typing Speed
Touch typing (typing without looking at the keyboard) is the foundation of fast typing. Focus on accuracy first, then gradually increase speed. Practice regularly with typing tutors for 15-30 minutes daily. Learn proper finger placement on the home row (ASDF JKL;). Ergonomic keyboard positioning and good posture also contribute to sustained typing speed.
Common questions
What is a good typing speed?
For general purposes, 40-50 WPM is average and sufficient for most tasks. 50-70 WPM is considered good and adequate for most office jobs. 70-100 WPM is fast and suitable for data entry or transcription roles. Above 100 WPM is professional-level speed.
What is the difference between gross and net WPM?
Gross WPM measures raw typing speed without considering mistakes. Net WPM subtracts errors from the gross speed, giving a more realistic measure of practical typing ability. Net WPM is always equal to or less than gross WPM.
How is accuracy calculated?
Accuracy is calculated as (total characters typed minus errors) divided by total characters typed, multiplied by 100. For example, typing 300 characters with 5 errors gives (300-5)/300 x 100 = 98.3% accuracy. Professional typists maintain 97%+ accuracy.
Why are words counted as 5 characters?
The 5-character standard was established to normalize typing speed across different languages and texts. Some words are short (like "a" or "it") while others are long (like "establishment"). Using 5 characters as a standard "word" makes speed comparisons fair regardless of the text content.
Estimates only. Results depend on the exact text, keyboard and how errors are counted in your typing test.