Typing speed test

How words per minute are counted

Typing tests do not count actual words, because "a" and "communication" would score the same. The standard is that every 5 characters typed count as one word, with spaces and punctuation included. That makes results comparable between passages and between tests.

• Gross WPM = characters typed ÷ 5 ÷ minutes. It measures raw speed and ignores mistakes.
• Net WPM = gross WPM − (errors left uncorrected ÷ minutes). Each wrong character still in the box at the end costs one word per minute. This is the figure most employers mean by "typing speed".
• Accuracy = correct keystrokes ÷ all keystrokes. A mistake you fix with backspace does not lower net WPM, but it does lower accuracy, because it cost you time.

net WPM = (characters ÷ 5 − uncorrected errors) ÷ minutes

Worked example

In a 1-minute test you type 300 characters and leave 4 mistakes uncorrected. Along the way you pressed 320 character keys, 12 of them wrong (8 fixed with backspace, 4 left in).

• Gross WPM = 300 ÷ 5 ÷ 1 = 60.
• Net WPM = 60 − 4 ÷ 1 = 56.
• Accuracy = (320 − 12) ÷ 320 = 96%.

In a 2-minute test, the same 4 errors would cost only 2 WPM, because errors are divided by the minutes too.

Typing tests for job applications

Office, data entry, transcription and customer support jobs often ask for a typing speed. As a rough guide, adverts commonly ask for around 40 to 60 net WPM for general office work and more for data entry or transcription, often with 90% or 95% accuracy. Check the advert: some ask for keystrokes per hour (KPH) instead, which is characters per minute × 60.

When you finish, the tool writes a plain result line, such as "Typing test result: 56 WPM net (60 WPM gross), 96% accuracy, 1-minute test", with the date. Use it where a form asks for your typing speed. It is self-reported and not a certificate; employers who need proof usually run their own supervised test, so practise until your result is steady rather than taking your one best run.

Getting faster

• Keep your fingers on the home row (ASDF and JKL;) and use the bumps on F and J to find it without looking.
• Look at the text, not the keyboard. It feels slower for a week, then much faster.
• Aim for accuracy first. Correcting mistakes costs more time than typing a little slower.
• Practise for 10 minutes a day rather than an hour once a week. The "keys missed most" list shows what to practise.

Every passage was written for this site. To count words in your own writing, use the word counter.

FAQ

What is a good typing speed?

Around 40 WPM is a commonly quoted average for adults who type regularly, 60 to 70 is good, and above 80 is fast. Accuracy matters as much as speed; aim for 95% or better.

What is the difference between net and gross WPM?

Gross WPM counts everything you typed. Net WPM subtracts one word per minute for each mistake you left in. If you make no mistakes, they are the same.

Which test length should I choose?

One minute is quick practice. Many employers use 3 to 5-minute tests, which show whether you can keep your speed up, so try the 5-minute test before an application.

Does this work on a phone or tablet?

Yes, with the on-screen keyboard or a connected keyboard. Phone typing is usually slower, so compare results on the same device.

Can I use this result as a typing certificate?

No. It is a self-reported result from an online practice test, and the page says so. It is useful for knowing your speed and for forms that ask for it.

Is anything saved?

Only your best score for each test length, in your browser's local storage on this device, so you can track progress. Delete it any time with the button above. What you type is not saved or sent.