About Typing Speed Test
Take a free typing test and find out your real typing speed in words per minute (WPM). Pick a 30-second, 1-minute or 2-minute test, start typing the passage, and you'll get your WPM, accuracy and a second-by-second speed chart the moment time runs out.
The passages are made of everyday English sentences, so the test measures how fast you type normal text, not how well you handle rare words. Plain mode uses lowercase words with no punctuation, which is the standard for most typing speed tests. Switch on Punctuation & capitals when you want a test that feels more like writing an email or an essay.
Your best score for each test length is saved on your device, and the 30s, 60s and 120s leaderboards show how you stack up against other players. There's nothing to install and no sign-up, and it works on laptops, desktops, tablets and phones.
How to play Typing Test
- 1
Choose a test length
Select 30s, 60s or 120s at the top of the game. The 1-minute typing test is the most common benchmark; the 2-minute test rewards consistency.
- 2
Start typing
Click the text (or just start typing on a keyboard). The clock starts on your first keystroke, so take a moment to get your hands on the home row first. On a phone or tablet, tap the text to open your keyboard.
- 3
Watch the colors
Correct letters turn solid, mistakes turn red, and extra letters you add to a word appear in faded red. The purple caret shows exactly where you are, and the text scrolls up as you finish each line.
- 4
Fix or keep going
Press Space to move to the next word. You can backspace to fix a typo, and if you've already moved on, pressing Backspace at the start of a word takes you back into the previous word when it contains a mistake.
- 5
Read your results
When time's up you'll see your net WPM, accuracy, raw WPM, a character breakdown and a chart of your speed over the test. Press Enter or New test to go again with fresh text.
Controls
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| Letter keys | Type the highlighted word |
| Space | Finish the word and move to the next one |
| Backspace | Delete a character (at the start of a word, jump back to fix the previous word if it has a mistake) |
| Tab | Start a new test with fresh text |
| Enter | Start a new test from the results screen |
| Tap the text | Open the keyboard on phones and tablets |
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Typing Test tips and strategy
Accuracy first, then speed
Only correctly typed words count toward your net WPM, and every fix costs time. Most people get faster by slowing down slightly until they rarely make mistakes, then gradually picking up the pace.
Learn the home row
Rest your left fingers on A S D F and your right fingers on J K L ;. The small bumps on F and J let you find them without looking. Every other key is a short reach from one of these positions.
Keep your eyes on the text
Looking down at the keyboard breaks your rhythm. Read a word or two ahead of the caret so your fingers always know what's coming next.
Type in a steady rhythm
Even, regular keystrokes are faster over a full minute than bursts followed by pauses. Check your speed chart after each test: a flat line means good consistency.
Relax your hands
Keep your wrists level and your shoulders loose. Tension makes your fingers slower and less precise, especially toward the end of a 2-minute test.
Practice a little every day
Short daily sessions build muscle memory far better than one long session a week. Two or three 1-minute tests a day is enough to see steady progress.
Train the hard parts
If you keep missing capitals or commas, turn on Punctuation & capitals for a few sessions. Reaching for Shift with the opposite hand from the letter is the fastest technique.
How WPM and accuracy are calculated
Typing speed is measured in words per minute, where one "word" is standardized as five characters, including spaces. That way, long and short words are treated fairly.
- Net WPM (your score) counts only the characters in words you typed correctly, plus the spaces after them, divided by 5 and by the test length in minutes.
- Raw WPM counts every character you typed, right or wrong.
- Accuracy is the share of your keystrokes that were correct. A mistake you later fix still counts as a missed keystroke, so accuracy shows how cleanly you really typed.
- Characters are shown as correct / incorrect / extra / missed. Extra characters are letters typed past the end of a word; missed characters are letters you skipped by pressing Space early.
For example, if you type 250 characters of correct words in a 1-minute test, your net speed is 250 ÷ 5 = 50 WPM.
What is a good typing speed?
A figure of around 40 WPM is often quoted as a typical adult typing speed, and that's the midpoint we use for the "faster than about X% of typists" estimate on your results. Treat it as a rough guide rather than a precise ranking, since real typing speeds vary a lot with practice, keyboard and the kind of text.
As a general rule of thumb, speeds of 60 WPM and above are considered fast, 80 WPM and above is excellent, and speeds past 100 WPM are rare outside of dedicated typists. Accuracy matters just as much: 95% or higher is a good target for everyday typing.
30-second, 1-minute and 2-minute tests
Short tests are great for warming up and for chasing personal bests, since it's easier to stay at full speed for 30 seconds. The 1-minute typing test is the standard benchmark that most people compare. The 2-minute test gives the most reliable picture of your everyday speed, because a single slip matters less and your stamina starts to show.
Each length has its own leaderboard and personal best. Want to keep your brain in gear between tests? Try Reaction Time to measure your reflexes, race the clock in Word Scramble or Anagrams, or explore more brain training games.
Frequently asked questions
How is typing speed measured?
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), with each word counted as five characters including spaces. Our score is net WPM, which only counts correctly typed words, so mistakes lower your result.
What is the average typing speed?
Around 40 WPM is commonly cited as a typical adult typing speed. People who type every day usually score higher, and practiced typists can go well beyond 80 WPM.
What's the difference between net WPM and raw WPM?
Raw WPM counts every character you typed, including mistakes. Net WPM only counts characters in correctly typed words, so it reflects usable speed. If your raw WPM is much higher than your net WPM, focusing on accuracy will raise your score fastest.
Does fixing a mistake affect my accuracy?
Yes. Accuracy counts every keystroke, so a wrong letter counts as a miss even if you correct it later. Fixing it still helps your net WPM, because the word then counts as correct.
Is a 1-minute typing test accurate?
A 1-minute test gives a good snapshot of your speed and is the most common benchmark. For a more reliable number, take a few tests and look at your typical score, or try the 2-minute test.
Can I take the typing test on my phone?
Yes. Tap the text to open your on-screen keyboard and start typing. Phone speeds are usually lower than keyboard speeds. The test asks your keyboard to switch off autocorrect and suggestions where it can, so they don't type for you.
Why do punctuation and capitals slow me down?
Capitals need the Shift key, and punctuation marks are further from the home row, so each one adds a small reach. Most people score a bit lower with punctuation on, which makes it good practice for real-world writing.