1-minute typing test

When a 1-minute test is the right choice

One minute is long enough to produce a stable speed figure and short enough to repeat several times in a practice session. It is ideal for tracking progress day to day: take one test at the start of each session and watch the trend on your progress page.

Because a minute is short, your result can vary by a few words per minute between attempts. Look at the average of three tests rather than your single best one.

How the score is calculated

TypingSpark counts a "word" as five characters, including spaces and punctuation. That is the convention used by typing tests and employers, and it makes results comparable however long the actual words are.

• Gross WPM is every character in your final text divided by five, per minute.
• Net WPM takes gross WPM and subtracts one word per minute for each error you left uncorrected. This is the number most employers ask for.
• Accuracy is the share of your keystrokes that were correct, including mistakes you later fixed.

The timer starts on your first keystroke, not when the page loads, and pauses if you switch tabs. Read the full formulas.

Getting a reliable result

• Sit comfortably with your fingers on the home row before you press the first key.
• Keep your eyes on the text, not on the keyboard.
• Fix a mistake straight away with one Backspace rather than leaving it; uncorrected errors reduce your net speed.
• Use the same keyboard each time so results are comparable.