Guide
Average typing speed & what counts as good
The short answer: about 40 words per minute is a typical speed for adults who type every day. Over 55 is above average, over 70 is fast, and over 100 is rare. Below is what each range means, how WPM is measured, and how much speed you actually need.
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Typing speed bands
These bands are a rough guide for accurate typing (net WPM, mistakes not counted as speed):
| WPM | Level |
|---|---|
| 0–24 | getting started Still looking at the keys. Accuracy first; speed follows. |
| 25–39 | casual Typical for someone who types now and then, often with a few fingers. |
| 40–54 | average Around where most people who type every day land. |
| 55–69 | above average Comfortable touch typing; most office work feels easy. |
| 70–89 | fast Faster than most professionals need. Thinking speed is the limit now. |
| 90–119 | very fast Competitive territory. Errors cost more than raw speed here. |
| 120+ | elite A small fraction of typists ever sustain this. |
How WPM is measured
Words vary in length, so typing tests don't count real words. Instead, every five characters (spaces and punctuation included) count as one word. Typing 250 correct characters in one minute is 50 WPM, whether those were short words or long ones.
Two numbers matter. Gross or raw WPM is everything you typed. Net WPM only counts what you got right, which is the number that reflects real work, because every mistake has to be fixed. Accuracy is the share of keystrokes that hit the right key; below about 95% it is usually worth slowing down.
How fast do you need to be?
- Everyday use (messages, email, school work): 35–45 WPM is plenty.
- Office and admin roles: 40–60 WPM is the range job listings tend to mention.
- Data entry and transcription: often 60–80 WPM, with accuracy checked as well.
- Programming and writing: past roughly 50 WPM, thinking speed limits you more than your fingers do. Accuracy and knowing shortcuts matter more.
Why your score changes from test to test
Short tests reward bursts; long tests expose fatigue and lapses in focus. Familiar words are faster than rare ones, and a different keyboard can cost you several WPM until you adjust. Take a few tests and look at your typical result, not your single best.
Getting faster
Speed comes from accuracy and rhythm, practised little and often. The how to type faster guide has a step-by-step plan. If drills bore you, Clackshot is a typing game where every correct letter fires a shot, so practice feels like play and your WPM is shown after every run.
Common questions
What is the average typing speed?
For adults who type regularly, around 40 words per minute is the figure most often quoted. Plenty of people sit a little below or above it; anywhere from about 35 to 55 WPM is ordinary.
Is 60 WPM a good typing speed?
Yes. 60 WPM is comfortably above average and more than enough for almost any office or study work.
Is 100 WPM fast?
Very. Sustaining 100 WPM with good accuracy puts you in the top few percent of typists; most people who reach it have practised deliberately.
What typing speed do jobs ask for?
General office roles often mention 40 WPM or more. Data entry and transcription roles commonly ask for 50 to 70 WPM or higher, usually with an accuracy requirement too.