Average typing speed: what’s normal and what’s good?

If you have ever wondered whether you type fast, slow or about average, you are not alone. "Average typing speed" is one of the most searched typing questions online. The short answer: the average adult types around 40 words per minute (WPM) with roughly 92% accuracy. But that single number hides a lot of useful detail, so let's break it down.

What counts as a "word"?

Typing speed is measured in words per minute, where one "word" is standardised as five characters, including spaces. This keeps measurement fair regardless of whether you type long or short words. So if you type 200 characters in one minute, that counts as 40 WPM. Accuracy — the percentage of keystrokes you get right — is reported alongside speed, because typing fast with many mistakes is not truly fast once you count the time spent correcting them.

Average typing speed by age

Typing speed generally increases with age and practice through childhood, then plateaus in adulthood. These are widely cited approximate averages:

• Ages 6–11: about 10–15 WPM as children learn letter positions.
• Ages 12–16: about 25–35 WPM as school and messaging build familiarity.
• Ages 17–19: about 35–45 WPM.
• Adults (general): about 40 WPM.
• Professional/office workers: about 50–65 WPM.

Remember these are averages. A motivated beginner of any age can reach 50–60 WPM within a couple of months of short daily practice.

Average typing speed by profession

Some jobs demand faster typing, and people in them tend to develop higher speeds:

• Data entry clerks: typically 60–80 WPM, often with a minimum requirement.
• Programmers & writers: commonly 55–75 WPM, though thinking time matters more than raw speed.
• Transcriptionists & court reporters: 75+ WPM (specialised stenography reaches 200+).
• Customer support & admin: 50–65 WPM to keep up with live chats and notes.

What is a "good" typing speed?

Here is a simple scale to place yourself on:

• Under 30 WPM: beginner — usually "hunt and peck" with a few fingers.
• 30–40 WPM: below to around average.
• 41–60 WPM: good — a competent touch typist.
• 61–80 WPM: fast — well above average, meets professional standards.
• 80+ WPM: advanced and highly efficient.

Most employers that list a requirement look for 40–50 WPM, while data-entry roles may ask for 60+. If you can type 65 WPM at 97% accuracy, you are faster than the large majority of people.

How to measure your speed

The only way to know your real number is to test it under normal conditions — relaxed, on your usual keyboard. Take our free typing speed test; it measures WPM and accuracy over 15, 30, 60 or 120 seconds and saves your best result privately on your device so you can track progress over time.

How to improve your typing speed

Speed grows from accurate, consistent practice — not from rushing. The fastest path is to learn proper touch typing (all ten fingers, eyes on screen), then practise a little every day. Start with our complete beginner's guide, drill your weak keys in focused practice, and read our 12 tips to type faster. With ten minutes a day, most people add 10–20 WPM within a few weeks.

Frequently asked questions