Data & Statistics

Typing Speed Statistics & Benchmarks

Comprehensive data on average typing speeds by age, device, and accuracy level. See where you stand.

Test Your Speed
40 WPM
Average Adult
All demographics
30-35 WPM
Average Student
Ages 12-18
65-75 WPM
Professional Typist
Trained professionals
216 WPM
World Record
Stella Pajunas, 1946

Average Speed by Age Group

Detailed WPM benchmarks from early childhood through adulthood.

Age Group
Avg. Speed
Notes
Ages 6-7
5-10 WPM
Learning letter recognition. Typing is a new motor skill. Focus should be on letter identification, not speed.
Ages 8-9
15-25 WPM
Beginning to develop keyboard familiarity. Can type simple words and short sentences with effort.
Ages 10-11
25-35 WPM
Developing typing fluency. Many students start formal keyboarding instruction at this age. Touch typing habits begin forming.
Ages 12-14
30-45 WPM
Most students are actively learning touch typing in school. Speed increases rapidly with structured practice at this age.
Ages 15-17
40-55 WPM
Approaching adult typing speed. Students who type regularly for schoolwork tend to be at the higher end of this range.
Adults (18-30)
40-50 WPM
Adults who type daily for work or school. Range varies significantly based on whether touch typing was formally learned.
Adults (31-50)
35-50 WPM
Similar range to younger adults. Speed depends primarily on daily typing habits and formal training, not age.
Adults (51+)
30-45 WPM
Slightly lower average due to generational differences in computer exposure, but trained typists in this group type as fast as younger adults.

Typing Speed by Device

How your device affects your typing speed.

Device
Avg. Speed
Notes
Desktop Keyboard
40-60 WPM
Full-size keyboards with key travel provide the fastest typing experience. Mechanical keyboards are preferred by fast typists.
Laptop Keyboard
35-55 WPM
Slightly slower due to reduced key travel and compact layout. Modern laptop keyboards have improved significantly.
Mobile Phone
30-40 WPM
Thumb typing on smartphones. Autocorrect and swipe keyboards help close the gap with physical keyboards.
Tablet with Keyboard
35-50 WPM
Similar to laptop when using an external keyboard case. On-screen keyboard typing is closer to mobile phone speed.

Accuracy Benchmarks

Speed without accuracy is meaningless. Here is what to aim for at each level.

Beginner

85-90%

Learning key positions. Frequent errors and corrections are normal at this stage.

Intermediate

92-96%

Comfortable with most keys. Errors typically occur on less common keys and special characters.

Advanced

97-99%

Highly accurate across all keys. Errors are rare and quickly corrected without losing speed.

Professional

99%+

Near-perfect accuracy maintained at high speed. Achieved through years of daily practice and professional training.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average typing speed?

The average typing speed for adults is approximately 40 words per minute (WPM). This figure represents casual typists across all demographics. People who type regularly for work tend to be faster, averaging 50-65 WPM. Professional typists and transcriptionists typically exceed 70 WPM.

What is the world record for typing speed?

The fastest typing speed ever recorded is 216 words per minute, achieved by Stella Pajunas in 1946 on an IBM electric typewriter. On modern computer keyboards, the fastest sustained typing speeds reach 150-175 WPM, with competitive typists like Sean Wrona consistently typing above 170 WPM.

Is 40 WPM good?

40 WPM is the average adult typing speed, so it is exactly in the middle of the bell curve. It is sufficient for basic computer use and casual typing. However, for office jobs and professional work, you would benefit from improving to at least 50-60 WPM. With practice, most people can reach this range in a few weeks.

How is typing speed measured?

Typing speed is measured in Words Per Minute (WPM). A "word" is standardized as 5 characters (including spaces). So if you type 200 characters in one minute, your speed is 200/5 = 40 WPM. Some tests also measure Gross WPM (total words typed) and Net WPM (gross minus errors), with Net WPM being the more meaningful metric.

Do younger people type faster?

Not necessarily. While younger generations grow up with technology, typing speed depends more on practice and training than age. Studies show that trained typists of any age outperform untrained typists regardless of age. What matters is whether someone has learned touch typing and practiced consistently.

Where do you rank?

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