If you’ve just taken a free typing test and seen your score, you’re probably wondering: is my typing speed good? The answer depends on what you need it for. A student taking notes, an office worker answering emails and a professional transcriptionist each need a different speed.
In this guide, you’ll learn what counts as a good typing speed, the average WPM for different groups, the speed most jobs ask for, and how to improve your own score.
Quick Answer: What Is a Good Typing Speed?
For most people, 40 WPM (words per minute) is a good typing speed, which is right around the average. Anything above 60 WPM is considered fast, and above 80 WPM puts you among skilled, professional-level typists. Accuracy matters just as much: try to keep it at 95% or higher.
Typing Speed Chart: Where Do You Stand?
| Typing Speed | Level | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 0–20 WPM | Beginner | Usually typing with a few fingers and looking at the keys. |
| 20–35 WPM | Below average | Fine for short messages but slow for longer writing. |
| 35–45 WPM | Average | Typical speed for most adults who use a computer daily. |
| 45–60 WPM | Good | Comfortable for office work, school and most jobs. |
| 60–80 WPM | Fast | Ideal for data entry, writing and customer support jobs. |
| 80–100 WPM | Very fast | Professional typist, transcriptionist or programmer level. |
| 100+ WPM | Expert | Competitive typing speed reached by very few people. |
What Is the Average Typing Speed?
The average adult types at roughly 40 words per minute. People who learned touch typing at school or who type every day for work often score between 50 and 70 WPM, while people who type with two fingers (“hunt and peck”) usually stay below 30 WPM.
Average Typing Speed by Age
Typing speed grows quickly in childhood and the teenage years, then levels off. These are typical ranges, not strict rules:
- Ages 7–10: 10–20 WPM
- Ages 11–14: 20–35 WPM
- Ages 15–18: 35–45 WPM
- Adults: 35–45 WPM on average, higher for people who type for work
Age itself isn’t what makes someone fast. Practice and technique matter far more. An adult who learns touch typing can double their speed in a few months.
What Typing Speed Do You Need for a Job?
Many employers include a typing test in the hiring process, especially for office and computer-based roles. Here are common requirements:
| Job | Typical Requirement |
|---|---|
| General office / admin assistant | 35–45 WPM |
| Receptionist | 35–40 WPM |
| Customer support (chat and email) | 45–60 WPM |
| Data entry operator | 50–70 WPM with high accuracy |
| Secretary / executive assistant | 60–75 WPM |
| Medical or legal transcriptionist | 70–90+ WPM |
| Government typing exams (clerk, typist posts) | Often 30–40 WPM in English, depending on the exam |
Always check the exact requirement in the job advertisement or exam notice, because some tests measure net WPM (speed after subtracting errors) instead of raw speed.
Wondering about a specific score? Read Is 45 WPM Good? Typing Speed by WPM.
Speed vs. Accuracy: Which Matters More?
Accuracy matters more. A typist at 70 WPM with 85% accuracy makes so many mistakes that fixing them wipes out the extra speed. A typist at 50 WPM with 98% accuracy produces clean work faster overall.
Most typing tests, including the one on FreeTypingCheck.com, show both numbers. Aim for at least 95% accuracy first, then work on speed.
How Is Typing Speed Measured?
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). Because real words vary in length, tests treat every 5 characters, including spaces and punctuation, as one word.
- Gross WPM = (all characters typed ÷ 5) ÷ minutes
- Net WPM = gross WPM minus uncorrected errors per minute
- Accuracy = correct characters ÷ total characters × 100
Example: if you type 300 characters in one minute with 6 uncorrected mistakes, your gross speed is 60 WPM and your net speed is 54 WPM.
How to Improve Your Typing Speed
For a full guide, read How to Type Faster: 10 Tips That Actually Work.
Most people can add 10–20 WPM within a few weeks of focused practice. Here’s what works:
- Learn touch typing. Rest your fingers on the home row (A S D F and J K L 😉 and type without looking down.
- Slow down to speed up. Type slowly and accurately at first. Your speed will rise once the finger movements become automatic.
- Practice 10–15 minutes a day. Short daily sessions build muscle memory faster than occasional long ones.
- Fix your posture. Sit up straight, keep your wrists level and relaxed, and keep the screen at eye level.
- Don’t look at the keyboard. If you need to, cover your hands with a cloth while practicing.
- Measure your progress. Take a typing speed test once a week and write down your WPM and accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?
Yes. 40 WPM is about the average adult typing speed and is enough for most everyday tasks and many office jobs.
Is 60 WPM fast?
Yes. 60 WPM is faster than most people and meets the requirement for many data entry and secretarial roles.
Is 100 WPM possible?
Yes, but it’s rare. Typists who reach 100 WPM or more usually have years of practice and excellent touch-typing technique.
How long does it take to improve typing speed?
With 15 minutes of practice a day, most beginners see clear improvement within 2–4 weeks and can reach 40–50 WPM within a few months.
Check Your Typing Speed Now
Now that you know what a good typing speed is, find out where you stand. Take the free typing test. It takes about a minute and shows your WPM and accuracy instantly.
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