Typing Speed Test
5-minute typing speed test
Five minutes is the length employers and certification tests use. A one-minute burst flatters everyone; five minutes shows the speed you can actually hold.
The 5-minute test comes with Pro
Pro adds the 3- and 5-minute tests and a weekly coach’s plan. The 1-minute test stays free, with no sign-up.
How to improve typing speed?
Typing is all about muscle memory, so the only way to improve is to practice regularly. Focus first on accuracy and ergonomics — high speed will come with time. Ten minutes of daily practice beats a single one-hour session. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
Words Per Minute (WPM)
WPM measures typing speed and is standardized to five characters or keystrokes per word. This lets you compare speeds across different languages. Always prioritise accuracy first — your speed will grow naturally over time.
Characters Per Minute (CPM)
CPM is characters per minute, equivalent to WPM × 5. It differs from keystrokes — a capital "A" is one character but two keystrokes (Shift + a). CPM gives a more precise picture of raw input throughput.
How is the test text constructed?
Every test draws on 200 passages written for this site, about 1,110 words each, with real dialogue, punctuation and numbers in them. None reads harder than a US grade 6.5 and the median is grade 5, so the words are ordinary while the keys are not. That is the point: a passage assembled from common words in random order stops being reading and becomes pattern-matching, which is not the skill anyone is measuring.
Should I practice regularly?
Yes — daily practice is the single biggest factor in improvement. Repeating ten-minute sessions has a significant impact on your typing skills. We track your progress so you can see speed and accuracy increase over time.
Why does typing speed matter?
Touch typing lets you focus on your main task rather than the keyboard. Fewer errors, faster communication, and higher-quality output are the direct results. It is one of the most valuable computer skills and a key factor in many hiring decisions.
What is the proper finger position?
Always start from the home row. The small bumps on F and J mark where your index fingers rest. From that position your fingers have full range of motion to every key — it is the most ergonomic and efficient hand placement.
What is the best keyboard layout?
The one you feel best with. Beyond the widely spread QWERTY, layouts like Colemak, Dvorak, and Workman are worth exploring — some reduce finger travel distance by nearly half. Try them in the settings menu and see what works for you.
Do I need to look at the keyboard?
No — and that is the whole point of touch typing. Training yourself to keep your eyes on the screen is uncomfortable at first, but it is the single habit that unlocks every other speed gain. Trust the muscle memory you are building.