5 minute typing test

Who this test is for

Five minutes is the closest this site comes to everyday typing. It suits you if you write for long stretches at work, or if you are preparing for a job assessment and want to practise staying steady. If an employer has asked you to take a typing test, check the length and rules they use, because they may differ from this one.

Set yourself up first

Small problems that you would not notice in a short test can become uncomfortable over five minutes. Before you start:

• Sit so that your forearms are roughly level with the keyboard and your wrists are not bent.
• Close anything that might send a notification. The test pauses if you click away, but your focus does not come back as quickly.
• Have a practice run at a shorter length, so you start warmed up.

Keeping going in the middle

Most people slow down somewhere in the middle of a long test. That is normal. Try to keep a steady rhythm rather than chasing a fast patch, and do not worry about the timer. Accuracy tends to slip before speed does, so if you notice more errors, ease off slightly and let your typing settle.

Reading your result

Your five-minute score is a fair estimate of your working speed. To improve it, focus onaccuracy and regular practice, rather than trying to type as fast as you can from the first word.