What Is WPM?
WPM (words per minute) is the standard measure of typing speed. One "word" is defined as five characters including spaces. A person typing "hello world" (11 characters) types approximately 2.2 words. Most typing tests measure your net WPM — gross WPM minus errors per minute.
Average Typing Speeds by Group
| Group | Average WPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner (no training) | 20–35 WPM | Hunt-and-peck technique |
| Average adult | 40–55 WPM | Casual computer users |
| Office worker | 55–75 WPM | Regular daily typing |
| Skilled typist | 75–100 WPM | Touch typing practiced |
| Professional | 100–120 WPM | Coders, writers, admins |
| Expert / competitive | 120–180+ WPM | Speed typing champions |
How Long Does It Take to Improve?
With consistent daily practice of 15–20 minutes:
- 60 WPM — achievable in 2–4 weeks for most beginners using touch typing from day one.
- 80 WPM — typically 2–3 months of daily practice.
- 100 WPM — usually 6–12 months; requires deliberate accuracy training alongside speed.
What Affects Your Typing Speed?
- Technique — touch typing vs. hunt-and-peck. Touch typing has a much higher ceiling.
- Finger placement — using the home row reduces finger travel distance.
- Accuracy — errors waste time. 95%+ accuracy is more important than raw speed.
- Familiarity — you type faster in your native language.
- Keyboard quality — mechanical keyboards can marginally improve speed.
- Consistency — daily short sessions beat occasional long ones.