What is a good typing speed?
Typical speeds by level and by job, and why accuracy matters as much as speed.
There is no single official scale for typing speed, but the ranges below are widely used by typing teachers and employers. All figures are net words per minute on ordinary English text with a physical keyboard, at an accuracy of around 95% or better.
Typing speed by level
| Level | Net WPM | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Under 25 | Still finding keys, often looking at the keyboard. |
| Developing | 25 to 35 | Knows the keyboard, pauses on less common keys. |
| Average | 35 to 45 | Comfortable everyday typing for most adults. |
| Good | 45 to 60 | Meets most office job requirements. |
| Fast | 60 to 80 | Touch typing with a steady rhythm. |
| Very fast | Over 80 | Professional transcription and competitive typing. |
These ranges describe sustained typing on passages. Results on one-minute tests of common words are often five to ten words per minute higher, because short common words are easier and a minute rewards bursts.
What jobs typically ask for
Requirements vary by employer and country, so always check the posting. As a rough guide:
- General office and reception: 35 to 45 WPM.
- Administrative assistant: 45 to 60 WPM.
- Data entry: 45 to 60 WPM with 97 to 99% accuracy, sometimes a 10-key test of around 8,000 keystrokes per hour.
- Customer support by chat or email: 40 to 55 WPM, with an emphasis on clear writing.
- Medical or legal transcription: 65 WPM or more with very high accuracy.
You can set any of these requirements in the employment test simulator and see whether you meet them.
Why accuracy matters as much as speed
A fast typist who makes many mistakes is often slower in practice than a careful one, because every error costs time to notice and fix. Most employer tests subtract uncorrected errors from your speed, and some reject results below a set accuracy. A useful target is 95% accuracy for everyday typing and 98% for data entry and transcription.
How fast can you improve?
It depends on where you start and how you practise. People who switch from hunt-and-peck to touch typing usually type slower for a few weeks, then overtake their old speed. Someone who already touch types can often add five to ten words per minute over a couple of months of short daily practice focused on their weak keys. Results vary, and nobody can promise a particular gain, but regular short practice beats occasional long sessions.
Measure where you are
Take a 1-minute test for a quick figure and a 5-minute test for your sustained speed. The difference between them tells you whether to work on endurance or on raw speed.