What Is a Good Typing Speed?
Whether a typing speed is “good” depends on what you need it for, but real data gives a useful starting point.
What the research found
One of the largest studies of typing comes from researchers at Aalto University and the University of Cambridge. They analysed 136 million keystrokes from 168,000 volunteers who took an online typing test. Here is what they reported:
- The average participant typed 52 words per minute.
- The fastest users typed about 120 words per minute.
- Professionally trained typists from the 1970s and 80s typically reached 60 to 90 words per minute, according to the same report.
The study also has limits. Its participants were volunteers who chose to take a typing test, so they may not represent everyone. Their task was copying sentences, which is different from composing your own writing.
A rough guide to your score
This table is our own rule of thumb, not a research finding, and it’s built around the figures above.
| Your WPM | What it means |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | You’re still building the habit. Regular practice should help quickly. |
| 30 to 50 | Enough for everyday tasks, and slightly below the study’s average at the top of this range. |
| 50 to 70 | Around or above the study’s average. Comfortable for most office work. |
| 70 to 100 | Fast. Typing is unlikely to hold you back. |
| Over 100 | Very fast, and approaching the top speeds in the study. |
Speed isn’t everything
A high speed with lots of errors can be slower in practice, because every mistake takes time to fix. The researchers also reported that faster typists tend to make fewer errors. Check your accuracy along with your WPM.
If you need a speed for a job
Requirements vary widely between employers and roles, so go by what the job posting says instead of a general figure. Ask how they test as well, because scoring differs between typing tests, and your result here may not match theirs.
Finding your own speed
One result can be misleading. Take a few 1 minute tests and use the middle score. Then try a 5 minute test to see the speed you can hold for longer.