Why Typing Accuracy Matters More Than You Think

Most people watch their WPM and ignore the accuracy figure next to it. That’s a shame, because accuracy often shows you the quickest way to get faster.

How accuracy is calculated

On our typing test, accuracy is the share of your keystrokes that were correct:

Accuracy = correct keystrokes ÷ all keystrokes × 100

Backspace isn’t counted as a keystroke, but the mistake that made you press it still is. So if you make 225 keystrokes and 200 are correct, your accuracy is about 89%, even if you fixed every error along the way.

This is different from WPM, which looks at your finished text. A corrected mistake doesn’t lower your WPM directly, but it does lower your accuracy.

Why mistakes cost so much

A wrong letter takes more than one keystroke to deal with. You have to notice it, stop, press Backspace, and type the right letter. Then you have to find your rhythm again.

A large study of typists described a group of “careless typists” who move quickly but have to correct many mistakes. It also found that faster typists tend to make fewer errors, so speed and accuracy often improve together.

Reading your results

Two figures on your results screen work together:

• A large gap between raw WPM and WPM means that errors remain in your finished text.
• Low accuracy with similar WPM and raw WPM means that you’re fixing your errors, but spending time doing it.

How to improve your accuracy

1. Slow down on purpose. Take a few tests at a speed that feels easy, and see how clean you can make them.
2. Notice your repeat errors. Most people miss the same few letter combinations. Practise them slowly.
3. Keep your eyes on the text. You can catch errors sooner if you aren’t looking at your hands.
4. Stay relaxed. When you feel you’re rushing, ease off slightly instead of pushing through.
5. Use “Repeat same words”. Retake the same text from the results screen to see whether you can beat your accuracy.

What accuracy should you aim for?

There’s no official target. As a rule of thumb, which is our own view and not a research finding, try to stay above about 95% in everyday practice. If you often fall below that, you’ll probably gain more by slowing down than by pushing for speed.