What is considered a good typing speed?

A good typing speed is typically 60+ words per minute (WPM) with 95%+ accuracy. For most office jobs, 40-50 WPM is acceptable. Professional typists and data entry specialists often reach 70-90 WPM, while competitive typists can exceed 100 WPM.

What typing speed do employers look for?

Most employers expect 40-50 WPM for general office work. Data entry and transcription roles typically require 70+ WPM. Administrative positions often test typing speed during hiring, with 50+ WPM being a common minimum requirement.

Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?

40 WPM is average for adults and acceptable for most jobs. It's below the 'good' threshold of 60+ WPM, but sufficient for general office work, email, and basic computer tasks. With practice, most people can improve from 40 to 60+ WPM within a few months.

What is the average typing speed by age?

Average typing speed varies by age: Under 18 (~35-55 WPM), 18-24 (~40-65 WPM), 25-34 (~40-70 WPM), 35-44 (~38-65 WPM), 45-54 (~35-60 WPM), 55+ (~30-55 WPM). Younger people who grew up with computers tend to type faster.

Can I improve my typing speed?

Yes, most people can improve typing speed through regular practice, learning touch typing (proper finger placement), and using typing tutor programs. Improvement of 10-20 WPM is common within 2-3 months of consistent practice. Focus on accuracy first, then speed.

What's the fastest typing speed ever recorded?

The fastest typing speed ever recorded is 216 WPM by Stella Pajunas in 1946 on an electric typewriter. Modern records on computer keyboards are around 200+ WPM. Most professional typists type 70-120 WPM, while the average person types 40 WPM.

Does typing speed matter for coding?

Typing speed matters less for coding than for data entry, but faster typing (60+ WPM) can improve productivity. More important for programmers are accuracy, code quality, and problem-solving skills. However, faster typing does help when writing documentation, comments, and tests.

By MeasureHuman Editorial

Average Typing Speed (WPM Benchmarks)

The average adult typing speed is around 55 WPM. See below-average, good, excellent, and elite WPM benchmarks and test your typing.

The average adult typing speed is around 55 words per minute (WPM). Strong typists often score 70–100 WPM, and elite typists can exceed 120 WPM.

Test Your Speed

Typing Speed Benchmarks (WPM)

Typing speed is measured in Words Per Minute (WPM). Here is how scores typically break down for adults:

Excellent

80+ WPM

Professional typists, competitive typists, and experienced programmers. Requires extensive practice.

Good

60 – 79 WPM

Above average. Suitable for most professional roles, including administrative work and customer service.

Average

40 – 59 WPM

Typical for most adults. Acceptable for general computer use, email, and basic office work.

Below Average

20 – 39 WPM

Hunt-and-peck typists or those new to typing. With practice, most people improve quickly.

Typing Speed by Job Type

Different professions have different typing speed expectations. Here's what employers typically look for:

Job Type	Typical Requirement	Notes
Data Entry	70+ WPM	High accuracy (98%+) is critical
Transcription	80+ WPM	Must maintain speed while listening
Admin Assistant	50-60 WPM	Often tested during hiring
Customer Service	40-50 WPM	Communication skills often prioritized
General Office	40-50 WPM	Most common requirement
Programmer	40-60 WPM	Code quality matters more than speed

Factors That Affect Typing Speed

Keyboard Layout & Switches

Mechanical switches often provide clearer feedback than membrane keyboards, improving speed. Laptop keyboards with low travel can be faster for some, but harder to touch type on accurately.

Posture & Ergonomics

Poor wrist angle leads to tension and mistakes. Neutral wrists (floating above the desk) and relaxed shoulders help sustain speed for longer periods.

Familiarity

Typing common words is much faster than unusual vocabulary or code with many symbols. Speed tests often use common words to measure raw motor speed.

Age

Reaction time and motor skills naturally peak in the 20s, but typing is largely muscle memory, so older adults can maintain very high speeds with practice.

Average Typing Speed by Age

Typing speed varies by age, largely due to exposure to computers. Younger generations who grew up with technology tend to type faster, though this gap is narrowing.

Age Group	Average WPM	Typical Range
Under 18	~45 WPM	35-55 WPM
18-24	~52 WPM	40-65 WPM
25-34	~55 WPM	40-70 WPM
35-44	~48 WPM	38-65 WPM
45-54	~42 WPM	35-60 WPM
55+	~38 WPM	30-55 WPM

How to Improve Your Typing Speed

Learn Touch Typing

Use all 10 fingers. Resting your fingers on the "home row" (ASDF JKL;) is the single most effective way to double your speed.

Focus on Accuracy First

Speed comes from muscle memory. If you practice fast but sloppy, you build bad habits. Slow down, get 100% accuracy, and speed will follow naturally.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

✕
Looking at your hands: This prevents muscle memory from forming. Cover your hands with a cloth if necessary to break the habit.
✕
Using only 2-4 fingers: "Hunt and peck" typing limits you to ~40-50 WPM maximum. Touch typing allows for 100+ WPM.
✕
Ignoring posture: Poor wrist position leads to fatigue and potential injury (RSI), which will slow you down in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Methodology & Sources

How Averages Are Estimated

Typing speed benchmarks are based on anonymized MeasureHuman test results and widely cited public benchmarks from typing test platforms. WPM follows the standard definition used across typing tests.

Measurement Limitations

Typing speed varies by device, keyboard layout, text complexity, and whether you prioritize accuracy. Mobile keyboards, autocorrect, and different passages can materially change results. Retest using the same mode and device to track progress cleanly.