Typing Speed Test

How typing speed is measured

Typing speed is reported in words per minute (WPM). By convention one word equals five characters, including spaces, so the measure is not affected by whether the text has short or long words.

The formulas

• WPM = (characters typed ÷ 5) ÷ minutes
• Accuracy = correct characters ÷ total characters × 100

Worked example

If you type 300 characters in one minute, that is 60 words, so your speed is 60 WPM. If 12 of those characters were wrong, accuracy is 288 ÷ 300 = 96%.

What counts as good

Most people type 35–45 WPM. Above 60 WPM is fast for office work, and professional typists often exceed 80. Accuracy matters as much as speed, because correcting mistakes costs time.

How to improve

• Learn touch typing so you do not look at the keys.
• Build accuracy first and let speed follow.
• Practise 10–15 minutes daily rather than one long session.
• Keep a relaxed posture and wrists in a neutral position.