TypingSpark
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Typing lessons

Learn to touch type one row at a time. Each lesson adds two keys and uses only the keys you already know.

New to touch typing?

Start with Home row: Index fingers

34 short lessons. Your progress is saved as you go; sign in to keep it on every device.

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Lessons use the right letters for your layout.

Home row

Your fingers rest on the home row and return there after every key. The two keys with small bumps are where your index fingers live.

  1. Index fingersFind the bumps on two keys with your index fingers. Press the Space bar with either thumb.
  2. Middle fingersMiddle fingers sit next to the index fingers. Keep your wrists level and relaxed.
  3. Ring fingersRing fingers are the least independent. Go slowly and let them move without lifting the others.
  4. Little fingersLittle fingers anchor the outside of the home row.
  5. Inner reachesReach sideways with your index fingers, then return to the home keys.
  6. Home row wordsReal words using only the home row. Keep your eyes on the screen.

Top row

Reach up from the home row with the finger that sits below each key, then return home.

  1. Middle reach upMiddle fingers reach straight up.
  2. Index reach upIndex fingers reach up and slightly left.
  3. Inner top keysA longer reach for the index fingers. Keep the other fingers anchored.
  4. Ring reach upRing fingers reach up; lift only the finger you need.
  5. Little finger reach upLittle fingers reach up to the corners.
  6. Top and home rowsWords across the two rows you know.

Bottom row

Curl each finger down to the bottom row and come straight back.

  1. Index fingers downIndex fingers curl down and in.
  2. Middle fingers downMiddle fingers curl straight down.
  3. Ring fingers downRing fingers curl down.
  4. Little fingers downLittle fingers curl down to the corners.
  5. Inner bottom keysThe longest index-finger reaches.
  6. All lettersEvery letter key. Accuracy first.

Capitals and punctuation

Hold Shift with the little finger of the opposite hand from the letter, then let go before the next key.

  1. Capitals with ShiftLeft-hand letters use the right Shift; right-hand letters use the left Shift.
  2. SentencesCapital letters, commas and full stops in real sentences.
  3. Quotes and bracketsThe quote and bracket keys sit beside the home row and top row on the right.

Number row

Reach up two rows with the same finger that types the letter below each number.

  1. Numbers 4 to 7Index fingers. Look at the screen, not the keys.
  2. Numbers 1 to 3 and 8 to 0The outer numbers belong to the ring and little fingers.
  3. Numbers in textDates, amounts and counts inside sentences.
  4. Symbols on the number rowShift with the number keys gives symbols such as @, # and %.

Words to paragraphs

Put it all together. From here on, rhythm and accuracy matter more than new keys.

  1. Common wordsThe 200 most common English words.
  2. Longer wordsLonger words reward reading ahead.
  3. ParagraphA full paragraph with capitals and punctuation.
  4. Accuracy builderEvery mistake must be fixed before you can continue.
  5. Speed builderShort bursts of common words. Push slightly past comfortable.

Numeric keypad

Rest your right hand on 4, 5 and 6, with the index finger on 4. The 5 key has a bump. Thumb on 0, little finger on Enter.

  1. Home keys 4 5 6Index, middle and ring fingers on 4, 5, 6. Little finger presses Enter.
  2. Top keys 7 8 9Reach up from 4, 5, 6.
  3. Bottom keys 1 2 3Reach down from 4, 5, 6.
  4. Zero and decimalThumb on 0, ring finger on the decimal point.

How the lessons work

The course starts on the home row, where your fingers rest, and adds the top row, the bottom row, capitals, numbers, punctuation and finally full paragraphs. Every lesson introduces one or two new keys, drills them on their own, mixes them with keys you already know and then uses them in real words. The on-screen keyboard shows which finger to use for the next key.

Lessons follow the physical position of the keys, so they work on your layout: choose US or UK QWERTY, German QWERTZ, French AZERTY, Dvorak or Colemak, and every exercise uses the right letters. Progress and stars are saved in this browser.

Stars

You get one star for finishing a lesson, two for 95% accuracy or better, and three for 97% accuracy at the lesson's target speed. Move on whenever you are ready; stars are a guide, not a gate. Every lesson is free and unlocked.

Tips for beginners

  • Keep your eyes on the screen. If you need to find a key, look at the on-screen keyboard instead of your hands.
  • Return to the home row after every key.
  • Go slowly enough to make very few mistakes. Speed comes later on its own.
  • Practise a little every day. Muscle memory needs repetition and rest.

More detail on hand position is in the guide to finger placement.

Questions

How long does it take to learn touch typing?

With 15 to 20 minutes a day, most people know where every letter is within two to four weeks. Reaching your old speed, then passing it, takes a few weeks more.

Do the lessons work on a laptop?

Yes. The numeric keypad unit needs a keypad, which many laptops lack; a USB keypad works.

Are the lessons suitable for children?

Yes. No account or personal information is needed, and lesson pages show only non-personalised ads. Teachers can assign lessons and tests without students creating accounts.