Typing Speed (WPM) Test
This typing speed test measures how fast and accurately you type, using the industry-standard words-per-minute (WPM) formula. Before you start, choose a test duration from 30 seconds up to 5 minutes and a difficulty level ranging from easy everyday words through to hard, complex vocabulary. Once you begin typing the on-screen passage, the timer starts automatically and each character you enter is checked against the original text as you go. When the test finishes, or you complete the whole passage, you get a full results panel: gross WPM (your raw speed), net WPM (your speed after errors are deducted, the figure most employers and typing tests rely on), your accuracy percentage, and characters per minute (CPM). Below that you can see the total characters typed, how many were correct, how many were errors, and the exact time taken. A benchmark row then shows where your net WPM sits against beginner, average, proficient and professional ranges, with a short verdict explaining what your result means and how to improve. Use this tool to check your typing speed before a job application, track improvement over repeated attempts, or compare yourself with typical office and professional typing speeds. For the most reliable reading, retype the passage a few times and focus on accuracy first, since errors reduce your net WPM more than typing slightly slower does.
Click Start Test to begin. The timer starts as soon as you type your first character.
How Do You Compare?
How the WPM Formula Works
The standard words-per-minute formula treats every 5 characters as one "word", regardless of actual word length. This standardises comparisons across different languages and text samples.
Gross WPM = (total characters typed / 5) / minutes elapsed
Net WPM = Gross WPM - (number of errors / minutes elapsed)
Accuracy = (correct characters / total characters typed) x 100
Characters per minute (CPM) = total characters typed / minutes elapsed
Net WPM is what most employers and typing tests report, as it penalises errors that would need correcting in real work.
Worked Example
Suppose you type for 1 minute (60 seconds) and type 300 characters total, of which 12 are errors:
- Gross WPM = (300 / 5) / 1 = 60 WPM
- Net WPM = 60 - (12 / 1) = 48 WPM
- Accuracy = ((300 - 12) / 300) x 100 = 96%
- CPM = 300 / 1 = 300 CPM
Entering this typing performance into the tool would produce 60 gross WPM, 48 net WPM, 96% accuracy, and 300 CPM.
WPM Benchmarks
| Level | WPM Range | Typical User |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Under 30 WPM | New typists, hunt-and-peck method |
| Average | 30 to 60 WPM | General population, casual computer users |
| Proficient | 60 to 80 WPM | Office workers, regular computer users |
| Professional | 80 to 100 WPM | Secretaries, journalists, writers |
| Expert | 100+ WPM | Professional typists, competitive typists |
| Elite | 130+ WPM | Top 1% of typists, competitive champions |
The world record for sustained typing speed (over 50 minutes) is around 150 WPM. Short burst records exceed 200 WPM.
Tips to Type Faster
- Learn touch typing: Keep your fingers on the home row (ASDF JKL;) and use all ten fingers. Avoid looking at the keyboard.
- Prioritise accuracy: Errors cost more time than slow but accurate typing. Aim for 95%+ accuracy before chasing speed.
- Practise regularly: Short daily sessions of 10 to 15 minutes build muscle memory faster than occasional long sessions.
- Use correct posture: Sit upright with your wrists slightly elevated, elbows at 90 degrees, and monitor at eye level.
- Learn keyboard shortcuts: Reducing reliance on the mouse improves your effective words-per-minute in real tasks.
- Track your progress: Retest weekly and compare results over time. Improvement plateaus are normal; push through them.
Related Calculators
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- Random String Generator: generate random text for practice or testing.
- Anagram Solver: word manipulation and letter arrangement tool.
Sources and method: WPM formula per the widely used industry convention that 5 characters equal 1 word. Accuracy calculation per standard keystroke logging methods used in typing assessment software.
This tool measures typing speed on a standardised passage in a controlled test environment. Results may differ from real-world typing speed, which is affected by content familiarity, keyboard type, and the nature of the text.