What Is a Good Typing Speed? Average WPM Explained

Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), where one "word" is standardized as five characters — so "hello" and "12345" both count as one word. Measuring by characters keeps scores fair regardless of how long your actual words are.

What is the average typing speed?

The average adult types around 40 WPM. Here's roughly how the ranges break down:

• Under 30 WPM — beginner, usually hunt-and-peck typing.
• 40 WPM — average; comfortable everyday typing.
• 60–80 WPM — fast; typical of people who type for work.
• 90–120 WPM — professional typists, programmers, and gamers.
• 120 WPM and up — competitive territory; the world record is over 200 WPM.

Speed isn't everything — accuracy counts

A blazing raw speed means little if half your words have typos. That's why a good test reports net WPM (correct characters only) alongside accuracy. Aim for 95%+ accuracy; it's usually better to slow down slightly and type cleanly than to race and backspace constantly.

Test your own typing speed

The quickest way to find your number is to take a timed test. Our typing speed test gives you WPM, accuracy, consistency, and a speed-over-time graph — choose a 15, 30, or 60-second run, or add punctuation and numbers for a tougher, more realistic test.

How to type faster

• Use all ten fingers and learn the home row (ASDF–JKL;).
• Don't look at the keys — trust muscle memory; it builds fast.
• Prioritize accuracy first. Speed follows once the movements are automatic.
• Practice a few minutes daily rather than one long session.

While you're at it, it's worth checking your hardware with a keyboard tester — a sticky or dead key will quietly wreck your accuracy.

FAQ

Is 40 WPM good?

Yes — 40 WPM is right around the average for adults and is perfectly fine for everyday work.

What is a good typing speed for a job?

Most office and data-entry roles look for 50–65 WPM with high accuracy. Transcription and specialized roles may expect 70–90 WPM.

What is the fastest typing speed ever recorded?

The commonly cited record is around 216 WPM, set by Stella Pajunas in 1946. Modern competitive typists regularly exceed 150 WPM.