Typing Speed Test

Typing speed is measured in words per minute, where a word is defined as exactly five characters including the space. That convention is what makes results comparable across languages and passages.

Your result

0 WPM

0 raw WPM

0 CPM

100% accuracy

0 errors

60 s time

How typing speed is measured

Type the passage above. The clock starts with your first character and every keystroke is compared against the passage position by position, so a mistyped letter is marked where it happened rather than counted at the end.

WPM = correct keystrokes ÷ 5 ÷ minutes

A word in every published typing-speed figure means exactly five characters, including the space that follows. Counting real words instead would make the score depend on how long the words in the passage happen to be, and two tests would stop being comparable.

Net WPM, raw WPM and accuracy

WPM counts only the keystrokes that were right when you made them — this is the number worth quoting.
Raw WPM counts every keystroke, mistakes included. The gap between the two is the price of your errors.
Accuracy is the share of keystrokes that were right when you made them. Fixing a character with backspace does not restore the accuracy you already spent, because the keystroke happened.

All three come from the same two counters — keystrokes made and keystrokes wrong — so net WPM = raw WPM × accuracy always holds. Typing past the end of a passage on a timed run brings up the next one: the clock and the counters carry on, and only the untimed mode ends with the text.

What counts as a good result

Around 40 WPM — the average for someone who types without formal training.
60–80 WPM — comfortable touch typing; typical of people who write for a living.
Over 100 WPM — a trained typist. Professional transcription work is usually specified at this level with accuracy above 98%.

Speed above roughly 95% accuracy is worth chasing; speed below it is not. Each wrong character costs a backspace and a retype, so two extra keystrokes — which is why a steady rhythm normally beats a fast one full of corrections.

FAQ

How is typing speed in words per minute calculated?

The correct characters are divided by five, and that result by the time in minutes. In every published figure a word means exactly five characters including the space that follows: counting real words would make the score depend on how long the words in the passage are, and two tests would stop being comparable.

What is a good typing speed?

Around 40 WPM is the average for someone who types without formal training. Between 60 and 80 WPM is comfortable touch typing, typical of people who write for a living. Above 100 WPM is a trained typist; professional transcription work is usually specified at that level together with accuracy above 98%.

What is the difference between net and raw WPM?

Net WPM counts only the characters that match the reference passage, while raw WPM counts everything you typed, mistakes included. The gap between them is the price of your errors: each wrong character costs a backspace and a retype, so two extra keystrokes.

How is typing accuracy measured?

Accuracy is the share of keystrokes that were right at the moment you made them. Fixing a character with backspace does not restore it, because the keystroke already happened. That is why 100% means typing without a single slip, not ending up with a clean text.

How can I type faster?

Keep your hands on the home row with the index fingers on F and J, and do not look down. Chasing speed is worth it while accuracy stays above roughly 95%: a steady rhythm without mistakes almost always beats a fast one full of corrections. If individual keys register only sometimes, the keyboard itself may be at fault, which a keyboard test will show.