About the Typing Speed Test
This typing speed test measures how fast and how accurately you type. Pick a passage and a test length, start typing, and the timer begins with your first keystroke. Each correctly typed character turns dark and each mistake is highlighted in red, and when the time is up you get your gross words per minute (WPM), net WPM after error penalties, characters per minute and accuracy.
Use it to benchmark yourself before a job application that asks for a typing speed, to track progress while learning touch typing, or to warm up before a long writing session. Longer tests (2–3 minutes) give a steadier, more realistic number than a 30-second sprint.
Results follow the standard convention that one “word” is five characters including spaces and punctuation, so scores are comparable across passages. Already took a test elsewhere? Enter the characters typed, uncorrected errors and time in the calculator below the test to convert them into WPM and accuracy.
With the default inputs, the net speed is 45 WPM. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the typing speed test
- 1Choose a passage and a test length (1 or 2 minutes gives a reliable score).
- 2Click the typing box and start typing — the timer starts on your first key.
- 3Keep your eyes on the passage; fix mistakes with Backspace if you want accuracy credit.
- 4When the timer ends, read your net WPM, gross WPM and accuracy.
- 5Retake with a different passage and compare your results over time.
Formula and method
Typing speed is counted in standard words of five characters, including spaces and punctuation, so long and short words average out and different passages give comparable scores. Gross WPM is the raw pace: every character typed divided by five, divided by the minutes elapsed.
Net WPM subtracts a penalty of one word per minute for each uncorrected error, which is the convention most employers and typing courses use. Accuracy is the share of typed characters that match the passage. In the live test, the time is the full test length, or the moment you finish the passage if that comes first.
- characters
- All characters in your typed text, including spaces
- errors
- Characters that do not match the passage when the test ends
- minutes
- Test duration in minutes (seconds ÷ 60)
Worked examples
One-minute test, 250 characters, 5 errors
250 characters is 50 standard words, so the gross speed is 50 WPM. Five uncorrected errors in one minute cost 5 WPM, giving a net speed of 45 WPM, and 245 of 250 characters were right, so accuracy is 98%.
Two-minute test, 600 characters, 12 errors
600 characters ÷ 5 = 120 words over 2 minutes is 60 gross WPM. Twelve errors over 2 minutes is 6 errors per minute, so net speed is 54 WPM, still 98% accurate.
30-second sprint with lower accuracy
180 characters in half a minute is 36 words, or 72 gross WPM. But nine errors in 30 seconds is 18 per minute, which drags net speed down to 54 WPM — the same as the steadier two-minute typist.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed?+
For everyday computer use, around 35–40 net WPM is comfortable. Many office and data-entry jobs ask for 40–60 WPM, transcription roles often want 60–75 or more, and competitive typists exceed 100 WPM. Accuracy of 95% or higher matters as much as raw speed.
What is the difference between gross and net WPM?+
Gross WPM counts everything you typed, right or wrong. Net WPM subtracts one word per minute for every error you left uncorrected, so it reflects usable output. Employers usually ask for net WPM.
Why is a word counted as five characters?+
Real words vary in length, so typing tests use a standard word of five keystrokes, including spaces and punctuation. That makes results comparable whether a passage uses short or long words.
How long should a typing test be?+
One to three minutes is standard. Very short tests reward a quick burst and are easily skewed by one mistake; longer tests show your sustainable speed and are what most employment tests use.
How can I type faster?+
Learn touch typing with fingers on the home row, look at the screen rather than the keyboard, and practise accuracy first — speed follows. Short daily sessions of 10–15 minutes work better than occasional long ones.