How to Test Your Typing Speed in WPM
You want to know how fast you type. Maybe for a job application, a school requirement, or just curiosity. A quick WPM test gives you the answer in one minute.
Quick Answer
Take the free Typing Speed Test at dotsapps.com to find your words per minute (WPM) score. The average person types 40 WPM. Office workers average 50-60 WPM. Take the test a few times for an accurate result.
What Is a Good Typing Speed in WPM
WPM stands for words per minute. It measures how fast you type using a standard "word" length of 5 characters. Here's where different people fall:
- Beginner (hunt and peck): 15-25 WPM
- Average casual typist: 35-45 WPM
- Office worker: 50-65 WPM
- Professional typist: 75-90 WPM
- Advanced/expert: 100+ WPM
- World record: 216 WPM (sustained)
For most jobs, 50-60 WPM with 95%+ accuracy is considered good. Data entry roles often require 60-80 WPM. Programming jobs care less about raw speed and more about accuracy.
How Typing Speed Tests Calculate Your WPM
A typing test gives you text to copy. It tracks how many characters you type in a set time (usually 60 seconds). Then it divides by 5 to get your word count. That's your gross WPM.
Net WPM is more useful. It subtracts errors from your gross score. If you typed 60 WPM but made 5 errors, your net WPM is 55. This is the number most employers care about.
Accuracy matters just as much as speed. Typing 80 WPM with 85% accuracy is worse than typing 55 WPM with 99% accuracy. The person with fewer errors finishes real work faster because they don't spend time fixing mistakes.
Tips to Increase Your Typing Speed
You can improve your typing speed with practice. Here's what works:
- Learn touch typing. Keep your fingers on the home row (ASDF JKL;). This is the single biggest speed boost for hunt-and-peck typists.
- Don't look at the keyboard. It's hard at first but essential. Cover your hands with a cloth if you keep peeking.
- Focus on accuracy first. Speed follows accuracy, not the other way around. Slow down until you make zero errors, then gradually speed up.
- Practice 15 minutes daily. Short, consistent sessions work better than occasional long ones.
- Use proper posture. Sit straight, keep wrists neutral, and position the keyboard at elbow height. Pain slows you down.
Typing Speed Requirements for Jobs
Some jobs list minimum typing speeds in their requirements. Here are common thresholds:
- Administrative assistant: 50-60 WPM
- Data entry clerk: 60-80 WPM
- Medical transcriptionist: 70-80 WPM
- Court reporter: 200+ WPM (using stenotype)
- Customer service: 40-50 WPM
- General office work: 45-55 WPM
If a job listing says "must type 60 WPM," they usually mean net WPM with high accuracy. Practice until you consistently hit the number, not just once.
Take several tests and average the results. Your true WPM is the speed you can reliably maintain, not your best single attempt.
How to Do It: Step-by-Step
- 1
Open the Typing Speed Test at dotsapps.com.
- 2
Read the instructions and get ready to type.
- 3
Start typing the displayed text as fast and accurately as you can.
- 4
Finish the test and see your WPM score and accuracy.
- 5
Take the test 3-5 times and average your results for a true score.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does the average person type?
The average person types about 40 words per minute. Regular computer users who type daily average 50-60 WPM. Professional typists can reach 75-100+ WPM.
Is 50 WPM a good typing speed?
Yes, 50 WPM is above average and good enough for most office jobs. It means you can type about 3,000 words per hour, which handles emails, reports, and documents efficiently.
How can I improve my typing speed?
Learn touch typing, practice 15 minutes daily, focus on accuracy before speed, and don't look at the keyboard. Most people see a 10-20 WPM improvement within 2-4 weeks of daily practice.
What typing speed do I need for a job?
Most office jobs want 50-60 WPM. Data entry roles need 60-80 WPM. Customer service positions typically require 40-50 WPM. Check the job listing for specific requirements.
Does typing speed matter for programming?
Somewhat. Programmers spend more time thinking than typing, so raw speed matters less. But 50+ WPM with high accuracy makes coding more comfortable. You'll never be bottlenecked by your fingers.
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