Keyboard & Input · No. 07
Typing Test
Type through a stream of common English words and this test measures your speed in words per minute along with your accuracy. Pick a 30, 60, or 120 second run and see your score update as you go.
The timer starts on your first keystroke. Press space to submit each word, Esc to restart. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
How the typing test measures your speed
The test shows a stream of common English words with the current word highlighted. As you type, each character turns green when it is correct and red when it is wrong, so you can see mistakes the moment they happen. Press space to lock in a word and move to the next one, and the timer starts on your first keystroke rather than the moment the page loads.
Words per minute is calculated the standard way, as the number of correct characters divided by five, then divided by the minutes elapsed. Using five characters as one word keeps your score comparable to other typing tests regardless of how long the actual words are. Accuracy is the share of characters you typed correctly, and the final panel also shows raw WPM, which counts everything you typed before mistakes are removed.
The gap between your raw and net WPM tells you a lot. A large gap means speed is costing you accuracy, while a small gap means your typing is clean. Your personal best is saved in your browser so you can track improvement across sessions, and nothing you type is uploaded or stored on a server.
Reading your results and typing faster
Most adults type somewhere in the range of 35 to 45 words per minute, and steady practice moves that number up over time. If your accuracy is high but your speed is low, focus on rhythm and touch typing without looking at the keys rather than forcing raw pace. If your speed looks fast but accuracy drops below the low nineties, slow down slightly, because every mistake and correction costs more time than it saves.
Watch for a specific key or finger that keeps turning red, since that pattern often reveals a weak spot in your technique rather than a hardware issue. Repeating short runs and letting your hands settle into home row usually improves both numbers together.
If a letter never appears when you press it, or a key produces the wrong character, the problem is the keyboard rather than your typing. Confirm it on our keyboard tester, then clean around the key, swap the USB port or cable, and reinstall the keyboard driver. A key that still misfires after that likely needs the switch or the keyboard replaced.
Which test length to use
The 30 second run is best for a quick check or a warm up, since it captures a short burst of speed without demanding stamina. The 60 second run is the most common benchmark and gives a stable, comparable number, while the 120 second run shows whether you can hold your pace and stay accurate as your hands tire.
For steady improvement, pick one length and repeat it a few times a week so your scores are measured the same way each time. Short, frequent sessions build muscle memory faster than occasional long ones, and your saved personal best gives you a clear target to beat.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a good typing speed in words per minute?
- Around 40 words per minute is a solid everyday pace, and many office workers land between 35 and 45. Professional typists often exceed 65 to 70 words per minute. Accuracy matters as much as speed, so aim to stay above 95 percent correct.
- How is WPM calculated on a typing test?
- Words per minute is the number of correct characters you typed divided by five, then divided by the minutes elapsed. Counting five characters as one word is a long-standing standard that keeps scores comparable across different words and tests.
- What is the difference between raw and net WPM?
- Raw WPM counts every character you typed, including mistakes, while net WPM only counts the correct ones. A big gap between the two means errors are dragging your real speed down. Closing that gap by typing more cleanly is often faster than typing harder.
- How can I improve my typing speed?
- Practice touch typing so you are not looking at the keyboard, keep your fingers on the home row, and prioritize accuracy before raw speed. Short, regular sessions work better than occasional long ones. Repeating this test lets you track your progress week to week.
- Is my personal best saved between sessions?
- Yes. Your personal best is stored in your browser on this device, so it is there when you return. Nothing you type is uploaded, and clearing your browser data will reset the saved best.