What Is the Average Typing Speed? (WPM by Group)
Discover the average typing speed for adults, professionals, and kids. Compare your normal typing speed WPM against published data and find out your rank.
Typing Speed Averages
What Is the Average Typing Speed?
The average adult types about 40 words per minute (WPM). A 2018 Aalto University study of 168,000 volunteers analyzed 136 million keystrokes and measured an average of 52 WPM among people who took an online typing test. The difference between these two numbers comes down to practice. People who actively seek out typing tests tend to type faster than the general public, pushing the online average higher than the normal typing speed of a casual computer user.
Your average typing speed WPM changes based on the length of the test, the complexity of the text, and whether you use a computer keyboard or a mobile phone. A single test rarely tells the whole story. Most learners start out much slower, while professionals who type all day reach speeds well beyond the 52 WPM mark.
This guide breaks down the average words per minute by skill level, compares mobile and desktop typing speeds, and explains the factors that change your score. You will learn how to find your normal typing speed in 60 seconds, how to read your test results, and what speeds employers expect for different jobs.
Study Data
The Aalto University Typing Studies
Researchers at Aalto University conducted two major studies to understand how fast people type on different devices. The 2018 study observed 168,000 volunteers and recorded 136 million keystrokes on physical keyboards. This study found an average typing speed of 52 WPM. The participants in this study were people who chose to take an online typing test, meaning they likely had prior keyboard experience and an interest in their typing performance.
The researchers conducted a second study in 2019 focusing on mobile devices. This study observed about 37,000 volunteers and measured an average phone typing speed of about 36 WPM. Mobile typing relies heavily on thumbs and software features like autocorrect, which creates a different typing experience than using ten fingers on a mechanical keyboard.
Both studies use the standard definition of a word to calculate speed. One standard word equals exactly five characters, with spaces and punctuation included. This standardization ensures that tests remain fair, even when one passage contains long words and another contains short words. You can learn more about these metrics in our guide on how typing speed is calculated.
Skill Levels
Average Words Per Minute by Group
Typing speeds fall into five main categories. The site's level badges categorize your performance based on these specific speed bands. Typical beginner and young-child speeds start at about 10-25 WPM, while professionals reach much higher numbers.
WPM
Device Differences
Average Phone Typing Speed vs Computer Keyboard
Typing on a smartphone feels different than typing on a computer. The methods, the physical movements, and the average speeds vary significantly between the two devices.
Computer Keyboard Typing
- Averages 40 WPM for the general public.
- Averages 52 WPM for online test takers.
- Relies on all ten fingers for maximum speed.
- Requires manual correction of all spelling mistakes.
- Allows for speeds over 100 WPM for professionals.
Mobile Phone Typing
- Averages about 36 WPM for most users.
- Relies entirely on one or two thumbs.
- Uses autocorrect and predictive text to fix errors.
- Limits maximum speed with a smaller typing surface.
- Causes more frequent accidental keystrokes.
Test Yourself
How to Find Your Average Typing Speed in 60 Seconds
You can measure your normal typing speed quickly using a standard test. Follow these exact steps to get a reliable result and see your level badge.
- 1
Select a one-minute test
Open the 1 minute typing test page. This duration provides enough time to measure a consistent speed without causing finger fatigue.
- 2
Wait for the countdown
Click the Start button. The system runs a 3-2-1 countdown, then waits for your first key press. The clock starts on the first keystroke.
- 3
Type the text naturally
Read the text shown four lines at a time. Correct characters turn green, mistakes turn red, and an orange caret shows your exact typing position.
- 4
Correct your mistakes
Fix errors as you go to improve your net WPM. Press Ctrl+Backspace to delete the last word entirely.
- 5
Review your results
Check your final screen for your net WPM, raw WPM, accuracy, and level badge. Review the speed-over-time graph to see where you slowed down.
Score Variables
Why Your Average Typing Speed WPM Fluctuates
Your typing speed will not be exactly the same every time you take a test. Several variables change how many words per minute you can produce.
Test Length
Short tests produce higher speeds when you sprint without fatigue. Employers commonly use 3-minute or 5-minute typing tests to measure true stamina.
Text Complexity
Punctuation and capitals lower WPM by roughly 5-15% for most typists compared with plain lowercase words. Technical documents slow you down further.
Correction Habits
Gross WPM counts all typed characters, while net WPM subtracts your uncorrected errors. Frequent mistakes lower your net score significantly.
Typing Method
Touch typing uses all ten fingers without looking at the keys. Hunt-and-peck typists usually plateau around 25-40 WPM as they must look down.
Career Requirements
Average Typing Speed by Job Type
Different careers demand different levels of typing proficiency. While these are typical job ranges and not official rules, they represent what most employers expect. Employers usually ask for about 90-98% accuracy on formal assessments. Read our full guide on jobs that require typing skills for more details.
| Job Title | Typical Speed Range | Primary Input Method |
|---|---|---|
| Customer Support | 40-60 WPM | Standard QWERTY Keyboard |
| Administrative Assistant | 45-60 WPM | Standard QWERTY Keyboard |
| Data Entry | 50-80 WPM | Keyboard or 10-Key Numpad |
| Medical Transcription | 65-80 WPM | Standard QWERTY Keyboard |
| Emergency Dispatcher | 80-95 WPM | Standard QWERTY Keyboard |
| Court Reporter | 225 WPM | Stenotype Machine |
Data entry speeds are often measured at 8,000-12,000 KPH on a numeric keypad rather than standard WPM.
Skill Progression
How Long Does It Take to Reach an Above Average Typing Speed?
Most learners reach 50-60 WPM after 2-3 months of steady practice and 70-80 WPM after 6-12 months. Progress depends entirely on building muscle memory through correct finger placement. Touch typing requires you to use the home row keys. Place your left fingers on A S D F and your right fingers on J K L ; to establish your base position. The F and J keys have small bumps to help you find them without looking.
Number entry requires a different technique. On a numeric keypad, the 5 key has a raised bump. The home keys are 4, 5, and 6. Place your index finger on 4, your middle finger on 5, and your ring finger on 6. Your thumb covers the 0 key, and your pinky covers the Enter and + keys. Practicing on a 10 key typing test builds this specific muscle memory.
Keyboard layouts have a long history of design choices meant to manage typing speed. Christopher Latham Sholes patented the typewriter that led to the QWERTY layout in 1868, and the Sholes and Glidden typewriter with QWERTY went on sale in 1874. Decades later, August Dvorak and William Dealey patented the Dvorak layout in 1936 to group vowels together. Regardless of the layout you choose, consistent practice remains the primary way to improve your speed.
Speed Reducers
Factors That Lower Your Normal Typing Speed
Even fast typists experience sudden drops in speed under certain conditions. Watch out for these common issues that drag down your average words per minute.
- Looking down at the keyboard instead of the screen.
- Typing passages with heavy punctuation and capital letters.
- Taking tests longer than 5 minutes without building stamina first.
- Using just two index fingers instead of all ten fingers.
- Leaving errors uncorrected, which reduces your net WPM score.
- Typing unfamiliar technical terms or foreign words.
- Sitting with poor posture; persistent pain should be seen by a real doctor.
- Testing on an unfamiliar keyboard with different key spacing.
Site Features
How to Measure Your Typing Speed Accurately
Getting an accurate measurement requires a reliable testing tool. Our platform offers several features to ensure your results reflect your true ability. The clock pauses automatically after 5 seconds without typing, and idle seconds are not counted. The timer pauses when you switch tabs or click away. A Pause/Resume button is available during the test, or you can press Esc to reset the test completely. Press Tab then Enter to restart it quickly.
Your results page provides a full breakdown of your performance. It displays your net WPM, raw WPM, accuracy, correct and incorrect characters, and total errors. You can view your consistency, keys per second, and a speed-over-time graph with error markers. The system highlights your fastest keys, slowest keys, and most-missed keys to help you target your practice sessions.
You can track your progress over time. Personal bests are tracked per mode and time limit, and the last 50 results are saved directly in your browser. Nothing is uploaded and no account is needed. You can use the replay button to replay the whole test keystroke by keystroke. When you finish a test, you receive a free certificate (PNG) showing your name, WPM, accuracy, level, date, and a verification ID. Learn more about the difference between gross and net scores in our net WPM vs gross WPM guide.
The Rule of Three for Typing Tests
Take 3 tests of the same length and use the average as a reliable speed. Single scores vary by about 5-10 WPM depending on your focus and the specific words generated.
Metrics Explained
Understanding WPM, CPM, and KPH
Typing speed is measured in three distinct ways depending on the industry. Words per minute (WPM) is the standard metric for general typing. Characters per minute (CPM) provides a more granular look at your speed. Keystrokes per hour (KPH) is the standard metric used for professional data entry jobs.
These metrics are mathematically related. CPM equals your net WPM multiplied by five. KPH scales that number up to an hourly rate. For example, 60 WPM is about 18,000 KPH. You calculate this by multiplying 60 words by 5 characters, and then multiplying that result by 60 minutes. Read our full breakdown of WPM vs CPM vs KPH to understand which metric your employer might use.
Test Your Average Typing Speed
Find out your exact words per minute right now. Take a free typing speed test and see which group you fall into today.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a normal typing speed?
A normal typing speed for the average adult is about 40 WPM. People who take online typing tests average around 52 WPM with regular practice. Hunt-and-peck typists usually plateau around 25-40 WPM, while professional typists average 65-75 WPM.
Is 60 WPM a good typing speed?
Yes, 60 WPM is considered an above average typing speed. It falls into the 51-70 WPM Above average level badge. This speed is fast enough for most administrative assistant and customer support jobs, which typically require 40-60 WPM.
What is the average typing speed by hand for a beginner?
Typical beginner and young-child speeds are about 10-25 WPM. Beginners type slowly as they search for keys visually. Most learners reach 50-60 WPM after 2-3 months of steady touch typing practice.
How is average typing speed calculated?
Average typing speed is calculated using a standard word length of exactly five characters, including spaces. Gross WPM equals all typed characters divided by five, divided by minutes. Net WPM equals gross WPM minus uncorrected errors per minute.
Does punctuation affect average typing speed?
Yes, punctuation and capitals lower WPM by roughly 5-15% for most typists compared with plain lowercase words. Reaching for shift keys and punctuation marks disrupts the natural rhythm of typing on the home row.
What is the average speed on a numeric keypad?
Data entry professionals average 8,000-12,000 KPH on a 10-key numpad. This requires placing the index finger on 4, middle on 5, and ring on 6, while the thumb covers 0 and the pinky covers Enter and +.
Why do I type slower on some tests?
Single scores vary by about 5-10 WPM based on text complexity and fatigue. Take 3 tests of the same length and use the average as a reliable speed.
Who invented the QWERTY keyboard layout?
Christopher Latham Sholes patented the typewriter that led to the QWERTY layout in 1868. The Sholes and Glidden typewriter featuring the QWERTY layout went on sale in 1874. August Dvorak and William Dealey later patented the Dvorak layout in 1936.