What is a good typing speed?
2 min read
Words per minute (WPM) is one of the most common indicators of typing performance. A higher WPM generally means faster typing, but speed alone does not provide a complete picture.
Most people type between 40 and 60 WPM. What counts as good depends on your experience and the work you do, so use these levels as a guide rather than a fixed target.
- 0-20 WPM: Beginner
- You are learning keyboard navigation and finger placement.
- 20-40 WPM: Basic
- You can handle everyday typing, but there is room to become more fluent.
- 40-60 WPM: Average
- This is suitable for most daily work, study, and communication.
- 60-80 WPM: Advanced
- You are faster than average and likely type with touch-typing technique.
- 80-100 WPM: Professional
- Excellent speed for demanding work environments and frequent writing.
- 100+ WPM: Expert
- Exceptional performance built through experience and deliberate practice.
What WPM actually measures
WPM counts characters, not literal words: a "word" is five characters including spaces and punctuation. TypingFast reports net WPM, which counts only correct characters. See how WPM is calculated for the full formula and worked examples.
Setting a useful goal
- Take three one-minute tests and use the average as your baseline.
- Aim for roughly 10 to 15 percent above that baseline over the next month.
- Hold accuracy at 95 percent or higher while you do it.
- Reassess every few weeks and set the next target.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed for a job?
For most office jobs 40 to 60 WPM with high accuracy is enough. Data entry and transcription roles commonly expect more.
Is 60 WPM good?
Yes. 60 WPM is above the commonly quoted average of around 40 WPM and is comfortable for almost any desk job.
How can I check my typing speed?
Take a one-minute typing test on TypingFast. Your net WPM, raw WPM, accuracy and consistency appear straight after the test.
Your personal progress matters most. Improving speed while maintaining high accuracy is a stronger sign of success than reaching one isolated high WPM score.