Typing Speed Test

How fast can you type? Choose how long you want to type for, then type the text as quickly and accurately as you can. The timer starts when the countdown reaches go, and when it runs out you see your typing speed and accuracy. The Reaction Time Test measures how quickly you respond, and the Sequence Memory Test, the Number Memory Test and the Verbal Memory Test measure how much you can hold in mind.

Choose your timeType the text

How long do you want to type for?

30 sec 1 min 2 min

1:00 0 WPM 100%

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Press Esc to start again with a new text.

About the Typing Speed Test

Typing speed is usually measured in words per minute (WPM). Because words differ in length, typing tests count every five characters, spaces included, as one word. This test counts only the characters you type correctly, so mistakes you leave behind lower your speed, while the time it takes to correct them is part of your result.

Accuracy is shown next to your speed. It is the share of all the characters you typed that matched the text, including mistakes you went back and fixed. Speed and accuracy pull against each other: most people who push for speed make more mistakes, and the fastest typists are usually the most accurate ones too.

How your result is compared

Your speed is compared with two large studies of typing by researchers at Aalto University and the University of Cambridge. In the first, 168,000 volunteers typed on physical keyboards and averaged about 52 words per minute. In the second, 37,370 volunteers typed on their phones and averaged about 36 words per minute. If you take the test on a touch screen, your result is compared with the phone typists.

Tips for an accurate result

Sit comfortably, rest your fingers on the home row and keep your eyes on the text rather than the keyboard. If you make a mistake, you can go back and fix it with the backspace key, but every correction costs time. On a phone, turning off autocorrect and word suggestions keeps the keyboard from changing what you type.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is my typing speed calculated?

Your speed is the number of characters you typed correctly, divided by five and then by the minutes of the test. Five characters, spaces included, count as one word, the standard used in typing research. Characters that do not match the text do not count toward your speed.

What does the accuracy score mean?

Accuracy is the share of all the characters you typed that matched the text. A mistake still counts against your accuracy after you correct it, so typing carefully pays off more than typing fast and fixing errors.

What is a good typing speed?

In a study of 168,000 volunteers, the average speed on a physical keyboard was about 52 words per minute, and the fastest tenth typed above about 78. On phones the average was about 36 words per minute. Professional typists often reach 80 to 100 words per minute or more.

Can I take the test on my phone?

Yes. Pick how long you want to type for and your keyboard opens; start typing when the countdown reaches go. Your result is compared with people who typed on phones, since thumb typing is slower than typing on a keyboard. Turning off autocorrect gives the fairest result.

How can I type faster?

Keep your eyes on the screen rather than the keys, use all your fingers, and aim for a steady rhythm instead of bursts. Accuracy comes first: speed follows once your fingers stop making the same mistakes. A few short practice sessions a week help more than one long one.