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, but age is less important than practice and technique.

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.

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.

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.

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What is a Good Typing Speed? Complete WPM Guide

Understanding typing speed benchmarks, what employers expect, and how your WPM compares to others by age, profession, and skill level.

Quick Summary

• Good typing speed: 60+ WPM with 95%+ accuracy
• Average typing speed: ~40 WPM for adults
• Job requirements: 40-50 WPM for office work, 70+ WPM for data entry
• By age: Younger people (18-34) tend to type faster (40-70 WPM) than older adults (30-55 WPM)
• Improvement: Most people can gain 10-20 WPM with 2-3 months of practice

Typing Speed Benchmarks

Typing speed is measured in Words Per Minute (WPM), calculated by dividing total characters typed by 5 (standard word length) and adjusting for time. Here's how to interpret your score:

Excellent (80+ WPM)

Professional typists, competitive typists, and experienced programmers. This level requires extensive practice and proper technique.

Good (60-79 WPM)

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

Average (40-59 WPM)

Typical for most adults. Acceptable for general computer use, email, and basic office work. Most people fall in this range.

Below Average (20-39 WPM)

Hunt-and-peck typists or those new to typing. With practice, most people can improve to average or above within a few months.

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
Administrative Assistant	50-60 WPM	Often tested during hiring
Customer Service	40-50 WPM	Speed less important than communication skills
General Office Work	40-50 WPM	Most common requirement
Programming/Development	40-60 WPM	Speed less critical than code quality
Student/General Use	30-40 WPM	Adequate for schoolwork and personal use

Average Typing Speed by Age

Typing speed varies by age, largely due to exposure to computers and keyboards. Younger generations who grew up with technology tend to type faster. Note: These are general estimates; individual results vary significantly based on practice and technique.

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	~51 WPM	38-65 WPM
45-54	~47 WPM	35-60 WPM
55+	~42 WPM	30-55 WPM

Disclaimer: These ranges are estimates based on common online benchmark results. Your score may vary significantly based on practice, technique (touch typing vs hunt-and-peck), and device type.

Why Typing Speed Matters

Productivity

Faster typing directly translates to higher productivity. A person typing 60 WPM can complete tasks 50% faster than someone typing 40 WPM. Over a workday, this adds up to hours of saved time.

Job Requirements

Many employers test typing speed during hiring, especially for administrative, data entry, and customer service roles. Meeting or exceeding the required WPM can give you a competitive advantage.

Reduced Fatigue

Efficient typists experience less hand and wrist fatigue because they use proper technique and don't need to look at the keyboard constantly. This is especially important for people who type all day.

Professional Image

Fast, accurate typing projects competence and professionalism. In client-facing roles or when collaborating, smooth typing creates a positive impression.

How to Improve Your Typing Speed

Learn Touch Typing

Touch typing (typing without looking at the keyboard) is the foundation of fast typing. Learn proper finger placement: left hand on ASDF, right hand on JKL;. Practice regularly using typing tutor programs or our typing speed test to track progress.

Focus on Accuracy First

Speed comes naturally once accuracy is established. Aim for 95%+ accuracy before trying to type faster. Mistakes slow you down more than typing slightly slower.

Practice Daily

Consistency is key. Even 10-15 minutes of daily practice can lead to significant improvement within 2-3 months. Set aside dedicated practice time rather than just typing during regular work.

Use Proper Ergonomics

Maintain good posture, keep wrists straight, and position your keyboard at a comfortable height. Proper ergonomics reduce fatigue and allow for faster, more sustainable typing.

Type Real Content

Practice with real-world content like articles, emails, or documents rather than random letter combinations. This builds muscle memory for common words and phrases.

Accuracy vs Speed: Finding the Balance

Both speed and accuracy matter, but the ideal balance depends on your use case:

For Most Jobs: 95%+ Accuracy

Professional work requires high accuracy. A typist at 60 WPM with 95% accuracy is more valuable than someone at 80 WPM with 85% accuracy, because mistakes require time to fix and can cause errors.

For Data Entry: 98%+ Accuracy

Data entry roles prioritize accuracy over raw speed. Mistakes in data can have serious consequences, so accuracy is non-negotiable.

For Personal Use: 90%+ Accuracy

For emails, social media, and general computer use, 90%+ accuracy is acceptable. You can correct mistakes as you go without major consequences.

Common Mistakes When Measuring Typing Speed

Testing Only Once

Your typing speed varies between attempts. Take multiple tests and use your average score for a more accurate measurement. Factors like focus, fatigue, and the specific text can affect results.

Comparing Different Test Types

Different typing tests use different methodologies. Some count only correct words, others penalize mistakes differently. For fair comparisons, use the same test platform consistently.

Ignoring Accuracy

Raw WPM without considering accuracy is misleading. A score of 80 WPM with 70% accuracy is actually slower than 60 WPM with 95% accuracy when you account for time spent correcting mistakes.

Not Accounting for Device Differences

Keyboard type, device lag, and screen size can all affect typing speed. For consistent measurements, use the same device and setup each time you test.

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