Typing Speed Test
Type the sample text below as quickly and accurately as you can to measure your typing speed in words per minute (WPM) and your accuracy.
How to use the Typing Speed Test
Click into the text box and start typing the sample passage shown above it. The timer starts automatically on your first keystroke. Correctly typed characters turn green, mistakes turn red. Once you finish the passage, your words-per-minute (WPM) and accuracy are calculated instantly. Click "New test" for a fresh passage.
How is WPM calculated?
Words per minute is calculated by counting the number of correctly typed characters, dividing by 5 (the standard average word length), and dividing by the time taken in minutes. Accuracy is the percentage of characters typed correctly out of the total characters typed.
Frequently asked questions
What's considered a good typing speed?
Average typing speed is around 40 WPM. Professional typists often reach 65-75 WPM or higher, while touch-typing beginners typically start around 20-30 WPM. Regular practice steadily improves both speed and accuracy.
Does it penalize backspacing or corrections?
Accuracy reflects your final typed text compared to the original passage, so correcting mistakes as you go helps your accuracy score, though it may slightly affect your overall time.
Is my typing data stored anywhere?
No. This tool is part of the Toolyard collection of free, browser-based utilities. Everything is calculated locally in your browser — nothing you type is uploaded to or stored on a server.
What WPM actually measures
Words per minute (WPM) is typically calculated by dividing the number of characters typed by 5 (the average length of a word, including the space after it) and dividing by the time taken in minutes — this standardizes the measurement regardless of whether you're typing short or long words. Accuracy is tracked separately, since typing fast with many errors isn't necessarily "better" than typing a bit slower with fewer mistakes that need correcting.
Typical speed benchmarks
Average typing speed for most adults sits around 35-45 WPM, while professional typists and data entry specialists often reach 65-80 WPM or higher. Competitive typists can exceed 120 WPM. If you're just starting to touch-type without looking at the keyboard, don't be discouraged by a low first score — consistent short practice sessions improve speed and accuracy faster than occasional long ones.
Practical uses
Job seekers applying for roles that specify a minimum typing speed (common in data entry, transcription, and administrative positions), students building keyboarding skills, and anyone curious how their typing stacks up against average benchmarks use tests like this. Retaking the test periodically is also a simple way to track improvement over time.