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Speed is calculated by counting correctly typed characters, dividing by five to convert to standardised words, and dividing by elapsed minutes. The five-character convention exists so that results do not depend on whether a passage happened to contain long or short words, which is what makes scores comparable across different tests. Each keystroke is compared against the expected character and highlighted immediately, giving the live feedback that makes practice useful, since correcting a habit as it happens works far better than reviewing errors afterwards. Nothing is transmitted or stored, so the test starts fresh every time.
Who uses Typing Speed Test
Job application requirements
Check your speed against a role that specifies a words-per-minute figure.
Tracking practice progress
Measure improvement as you work on technique.
Testing a new keyboard
See how a different layout or switch type affects your speed and accuracy.
Classroom typing practice
Give students immediate feedback on both speed and errors.
Frequently asked questions
How is WPM calculated?
Words per minute is calculated as the number of correctly typed characters divided by 5, divided by elapsed time in minutes.
When does the timer start?
The timer starts automatically the moment you begin typing.
Can I get a new passage?
Yes, click "New test" to reset with a freshly selected sample passage.
What counts as a good typing speed?
Around 40 words per minute is average for someone comfortable with a keyboard, 60 to 80 is genuinely fast, and above 100 is exceptional. Most roles that list a typing requirement ask for somewhere between 40 and 60, usually with an accuracy floor attached.
Why is a word defined as five characters?
Because real words vary in length and counting them directly would make scores depend on which passage you got. Fixing a word at five characters, including the space, is the long-standing convention that makes results comparable between tests, which is why almost every typing test uses it.
Should I aim for speed or accuracy?
Accuracy, and it is not really a trade. Every mistake costs the keystrokes to make it plus the keystrokes to fix it, so error-prone fast typing is slower in practice than steady accurate typing. Speed follows from accuracy with practice; the reverse does not happen.
How do I actually get faster?
Stop looking at the keyboard, which is the single largest gain available, and let your fingers rest on the home row so each one covers its own keys. Practising in short frequent sessions beats occasional long ones, and deliberately slowing down until errors disappear is what raises the ceiling.