How to Type Faster: 12 Proven Techniques That Actually Work
2026-10-20 ยท 7 min read
Most people type between 35 and 45 words per minute. The good news: almost anyone can reach 60โ80 WPM with the right technique and a few weeks of focused practice. Here are twelve techniques that make the biggest difference.
1. Learn touch typing first
Looking at the keyboard is the single biggest speed limit. Every glance costs about half a second. If you still hunt for keys, start with our free touch typing lessons: they teach one finger at a time, with animated hands showing exactly which finger to use.
2. Always return to the home row
Your fingers rest on A S D F and J K L ;. Feel the small bumps on F and J. After every key, your finger goes home. Home is what makes typing without looking possible. Practise it in Lesson 1: F and J.
3. Accuracy before speed
Every mistake costs you the wrong keystroke, the backspace and the correct keystroke. Typing at 95%+ accuracy is faster in practice than typing "fast" at 85%. Slow down until mistakes are rare, then speed comes naturally.
4. Type in a steady rhythm
Even, regular keystrokes beat bursts of speed followed by pauses. Our Key Hero rhythm game trains exactly this: hit the keys on the beat.
5. Read one word ahead
Fast typists read the next word while their fingers type the current one. Memory Flash builds this "read ahead" skill in a fun way.
6. Fix your weakest keys
Your three slowest keys hold back your whole speed. The weak-key trainer analyses every keystroke and builds drills from the letters you miss most.
7. Learn common letter chunks
Words like the, and, ing and tion appear constantly. Practise them until they feel like a single motion.
8. Use the correct finger, every time
Using the "wrong but faster" finger feels quick today but caps your speed later. Our colour-coded keyboard shows the right finger for every key.
9. Keep a good posture
Sit straight, keep wrists floating and the screen at eye level. Tension slows you down. Read our typing ergonomics guide for details.
10. Practise 10โ15 minutes a day
Short daily sessions beat long weekly ones. Keep your streak alive with the free daily typing challenge.
11. Make practice fun
- Turbo Race: race bots and your own ghost.
- Boss Battle: flawless words deal critical hits.
- Asteroid Blaster: type words to shoot asteroids.
12. Measure progress weekly
Take a 60-second typing test once a week and watch your average climb in your stats. When you reach 90% accuracy, grab your free typing certificate.