Free Typing Test

How fast do you really type? Pick a test length, start typing the passage and the timer begins with your first keystroke. Mistakes are highlighted as you go, and at the end you get gross WPM, net WPM (after errors), accuracy and your personal best — all calculated in your browser.

How typing speed is measured

Typing speed is usually given in words per minute (WPM), where a “word” is standardised as five characters, including spaces and punctuation. That way long and short words count fairly. Gross WPM counts everything you typed; net WPM subtracts one word for every uncorrected error, so it rewards accuracy. Accuracy is the percentage of characters typed correctly.

Formulas

The test compares your text with the passage character by character. If you correct a mistake with backspace, it no longer counts as an error — but the time spent correcting lowers your speed.

Typical typing speeds

These are rough bands commonly quoted for everyday typing; speeds vary with the text, keyboard and familiarity. Many office roles look for around 40–50 WPM with high accuracy.

How to take the test

1. Choose 1, 2 or 3 minutes and a passage.
2. Click in the box and start typing — the timer starts with your first keystroke.
3. Type the passage exactly, including capitals and punctuation; errors turn red.
4. Keep going until the timer ends; the passage repeats if you finish it.
5. Read your net WPM, accuracy and personal best.

Pasting is disabled so results reflect real typing. Your best five scores are kept only in this browser.

How to type faster

• Learn touch typing: fingers rest on the home row (ASDF and JKL;) and each finger has its own keys.
• Don’t look at the keyboard — use the small bumps on F and J to find your place.
• Aim for accuracy first; speed follows once the movements are automatic.
• Practise 10–15 minutes a day rather than an hour once a week.
• Sit up straight with wrists level and relaxed.
• Practise difficult letter combinations and numbers separately.

Worked example

In a one-minute test you type 265 characters with 4 uncorrected errors. That is 265 ÷ 5 = 53 gross WPM, and 53 − 4 = 49 net WPM, with 98.5% accuracy. Correcting the errors as you go would have cost a few seconds but raised your net score.

Speed vs accuracy

Most typing tests reward net WPM because a fast but error-filled text needs fixing later. As a rule of thumb, aim for 95% accuracy or better before pushing for speed; below that, slowing down slightly usually raises your net score. Professional typists often trade a little raw speed for near-perfect accuracy because corrections are expensive in time.

Ergonomics for comfortable typing

Practising with purpose

1. Take a baseline 1-minute test and note net WPM and accuracy.
2. Spend 10 minutes on drills for the keys where you make most errors.
3. Take a 2-minute test at a comfortable pace, focusing on accuracy.
4. Once accuracy is above 95%, push speed for a 1-minute burst.
5. Repeat daily and log results — progress over weeks is more meaningful than one score.

Typing on different devices

Scores on a laptop, a mechanical keyboard and a phone can differ a lot. Test on the keyboard you use most, and don’t worry if a new keyboard lowers your speed at first — it usually recovers within a few days. Touch typing on a phone uses different skills; this test is designed for physical keyboards.

Using results for job applications

Some employers ask for a typing speed, especially for data entry, transcription, administrative and customer-support roles. Report net WPM with accuracy, for example “55 WPM at 98% accuracy”, and mention the test length. If a certificate is required, the employer will usually specify its own test.

About the passages

The practice passages were written for this site and use everyday vocabulary with mixed sentence lengths, capitals and punctuation, similar to real-world typing. Longer tests give more reliable results because one slow moment matters less.

Privacy

The test runs entirely in your browser. What you type is not uploaded; only your best scores are stored locally.