Just finished a typing test and got 45 WPM? Or maybe 30, 60 or 80? This guide explains exactly what your words-per-minute score means, how it compares with other people, and what speed you need for school, work and typing exams.
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Quick Answer: Is 45 WPM Good?
Yes. 45 WPM is a good typing speed. It’s slightly above the average adult speed of about 40 WPM, and it’s enough for most office jobs, school work and everyday computer use. With accuracy of 95% or higher, 45 WPM meets the typing requirement for many administrative and receptionist roles.
To qualify for data entry, transcription or secretarial jobs, aim for 60 WPM or more.
Typing Speed Ranges: What Each WPM Score Means
| Your WPM | Level | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | Beginner | Usually hunt-and-peck typing, looking at the keys. |
| 20–30 | Below average | Fine for short messages; slow for essays and work. |
| 30–40 | Average | Typical for people who use a computer occasionally. |
| 40–50 | Good | Slightly above average; enough for most office jobs. |
| 50–60 | Very good | Comfortable for writing, customer support and admin work. |
| 60–80 | Fast | Meets most data entry and secretarial requirements. |
| 80–100 | Very fast | Professional typist and transcriptionist level. |
| 100+ | Expert | Competitive typing speed reached by very few people. |
What Your Score Means, WPM by WPM
Is 30 WPM good?
30 WPM is below average for adults but normal for students and beginners. Most people at this speed still look at the keyboard. Learning touch typing usually lifts you to 40 WPM within a few weeks.
Is 40 WPM good?
40 WPM is the average adult typing speed. It’s enough for everyday use and meets the minimum for many entry-level office jobs.
Is 45 WPM good?
Yes. 45 WPM puts you above average. You can comfortably handle emails, reports and most office tasks. The next goal is 55–60 WPM, which opens up data entry work.
Is 50 WPM good?
Yes, 50 WPM is a very good speed, clearly above average. It’s a common target for admin assistants and customer support roles that involve live chat.
Is 60 WPM good?
60 WPM is fast. It meets the requirement for most data entry, secretarial and transcription jobs, as long as your accuracy stays high.
Is 70 or 80 WPM good?
70–80 WPM is excellent and well above most people. Professional transcriptionists, writers and programmers often type at this level.
Is 100 WPM good?
100 WPM is expert level. Only a small share of typists reach it, usually after years of practice and perfect touch-typing technique.
What Typing Speed Should You Aim For?
| Goal | Target speed |
|---|---|
| Everyday use, school work | 35–45 WPM |
| General office / admin jobs | 40–50 WPM |
| Customer support (chat and email) | 45–60 WPM |
| Data entry jobs | 60+ WPM with 95%+ accuracy |
| Transcription and secretarial work | 70–90 WPM |
For a full breakdown by age and job, see What Is a Good Typing Speed?
Accuracy Matters as Much as Speed
A high WPM with many mistakes is not a good score. Most employers and typing exams look at net WPM, which is your speed after errors are subtracted. Aim for at least 95% accuracy. A typist at 45 WPM with 98% accuracy often produces finished work faster than someone at 60 WPM with 85% accuracy.
How to Go from 45 WPM to 60 WPM
- Use all ten fingers and keep them on the home row (ASDF and JKL;).
- Stop looking at the keyboard. It feels slower at first, then your speed jumps.
- Practise 10–15 minutes a day with touch typing lessons.
- Train your weak keys with targeted typing practice.
- Make it fun with typing games.
- Test yourself once a week to track your progress.
More tips: How to Type Faster: 10 Tips That Actually Work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 45 words per minute good?
Yes. 45 WPM is above the average adult typing speed of about 40 WPM and is enough for most office jobs and everyday computer work.
How many words per minute is good?
40 WPM is average, 50 WPM is very good, and 60 WPM or more is fast. For most jobs, 40–50 WPM with high accuracy is a good speed.
What should my typing speed be?
For everyday use, 35–45 WPM is fine. For office jobs aim for 40–50 WPM, and for data entry or transcription aim for 60 WPM or higher.
What is the average typing speed of a person?
The average adult types about 40 words per minute. People who type every day for work often reach 50–70 WPM.
How long does it take to go from 45 to 60 WPM?
With 15 minutes of focused daily practice, most people improve from 45 to 60 WPM in about one to three months.
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