For authors, having a high typing speed is important. The faster you can type, the more words you can get down on the page in a given day. This can be a big advantage when meeting deadlines or trying to get a first draft done quickly.
Take Our WPM Typing Speed Test
Use our typing speed calculator to see how fast you type! You can do it as many times as you like and compare your scores.
So, How Fast Should You Be Able to Type?
For writers, a good typing speed is around 50-80 wpm. This means that you can write between 50 and 80 words in a minute. Of course, some people are faster than this, and others are slower. It all depends.
The good news is, that this is not set in stone. You can increase your typing speed with practice.
How Can I Increase My Typing Speed?
The following tips will help you increase your typing speed:
Finger Placement
One of the most important things to consider when learning to type is finger placement. Proper finger placement will help you to type more efficiently and avoid errors.
It may feel awkward putting your fingers in the correct position when you first start learning. However, with a little practice, it will become second nature.
Here are some tips for proper finger placement:
1. Start with your hands in the "home row" position.
This means that
- your index fingers should be on the "F" and "J" keys,
- your middle fingers should be on the "D" and "K" keys,
- your ring fingers should be on the "S" and "L" keys,
- your pinky fingers should be on the "A" and ";" keys.
- your thumbs should be resting on the spacebar.
Having the correct finger placement will help you to type more quickly and accurately.
Focus On The Screen
Try to focus on the screen and not the keyboard. This will help you to keep your eyes moving and avoid getting tripped up.
Wrist Angles
Keep your wrists straight and your elbows at a 90-degree angle. This will help to prevent RSI (repetitive strain injury) when typing for long periods of time.
With that being said....
Take Breaks!
It is important to take breaks when typing to avoid strain. Get up and stretch your arms, legs, and back every 20 minutes or so.
You can also try some exercises specifically designed for typing. These exercises will help to improve your dexterity and prevent injuries.
It is no good learning how to type faster if you injure yourself and cannot type at all!
Learning Keyboarding Techniques
There are a few different techniques that you can use to increase your typing speed.
"Touch Method"
The first is called the "touch method." This involves placing your fingers on the home row of keys and then touching each key in succession as you type.
This method helps increase accuracy and can also help increase your speed over time.
"Hunt-and-Peck"
The second method is called the "hunt-and-peck" method. This involves finding the key you want to type and then pressing it with your finger. This method is generally less accurate than the touch method, but it can be faster for some people.
Additionally, when you reach for a new key, use the finger that is closest to it. For example, if you need to press the "G" key, use your index finger. Don't grip the keyboard too tightly. Relax your hands and wrists as you type.
Practice Makes Perfect!
The best way to increase your typing speed is to practice, practice, practice!
Use the test above as many times as you need, to practice and assess your level.
Keep track of your progress over time and try to beat your previous score. The more you practice, the better you will become!
Do Ergonomic Keyboards Work?
Do Ergonomic Keyboards Work? Do they help reduce carpal tunnel syndrome, or any other injuries related to poor keyboard ergonomics? Do they help you to type better and faster?
Ergonomic Keyboard By Microsoft
Yes, ergonomic keyboards can help reduce the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome and other injuries related to poor keyboard ergonomics.
In addition to preventing injury, ergonomic keyboards can also improve comfort and increase productivity. For example, split keyboards allow you to keep your wrists in a more natural position, while curved keys can help reduce finger strain.
Likewise, many ergonomic keyboards come equipped with features that make it easier to type quickly and accurately, such as programmable keys and built-in macros.
According to a recent study, subjects who used ergonomic keyboards were able to type significantly faster than those who used traditional keyboards.
Kinesis Advantage2 Quiet LF Ergonomic Keyboard 
The study found that the subjects who used ergonomic keyboards were able to maintain a higher level of accuracy, even as their typing speed increased.
In addition, the subjects who used ergonomic keyboards reported feeling less fatigue and pain in their wrists and hands.
While more research is needed to confirm these findings, the potential benefits of ergonomic keyboards are clear.
Whether you're a professional typing for hours every day or simply want to minimize the risk of injury, an ergonomic keyboard is a wise investment.
Average Typing Speed And FAQs
If you're like most people, your typing speed is probably somewhere around 41 words per minute. This is the average typing speed, which means that half of all typists are faster than this, and half are slower.
But what does it really mean to type at an average speed? First, it's important to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to these questions.
Typing speeds vary depending on a variety of factors, including the person's age, native language, and gender.
That said, the general tips we have shared above can help you train yourself to type faster. For instance, practice makes perfect - the more you type, the faster you'll become. Follow these simple tips and you can start to improve your average typing speed in no time.
What Is the Difference Between Wpm and Cpm?
WPM stands for words per minute, and CPM stands for characters per minute. They are both measurements of how quickly someone is typing. WPM measures the number of complete words typed in a minute, while CPM measures the number of characters (including spaces) typed in a minute.
Is 30 Wpm Good?
While 30 words per minute may seem like a relatively low typing speed, it actually places you just below the average of around 40 words per minute. Being just below average means you can easily bring your speed up from 30 wpm with daily practice.
If you want to learn how to type faster than 30 wpm, it is important to focus on keystroke accuracy and maintaining good posture as you work on increasing your overall dexterity.
Is 40 Wpm Good?
40 wpm is the average typing speed. This means that you are typing at a good speed and accuracy level. You can improve your wpm by continuing to practice regularly and focusing on improving your keystroke accuracy.
While 40 wpm is the average, there is no need to stop at this level. If you want to learn how to type faster than 40 wpm, focus on finger position and practice.
Is 50 Wpm Good?
If you can type at 50 wpm, this puts you above the average typing speed. 50 wpm is a great goal to aim for if you are looking to improve your typing speed.
Is 60 Wpm Good?
60 wpm is a good typing speed that most people would benefit from aiming for. This speed is above the average typing speed and will help you to be more efficient at writing your drafts and conveying your ideas as quickly as they come to mind! With daily practice you can build on 60 wpm to 70 wpm.
Is 70 Wpm Good?
For most people, 70 wpm is more than enough to get the job done without feeling like they're stuck in a time warp. However, if you're a professional writer or someone who types for a living, or you want to get through your drafts quicker, you may want to increase your typing speed beyond the 70 wpm - 80 wpm range.
Is 80 Wpm Good?
Yes. A high typing speed is anything over 80 wpm. This is an extremely fast typing speed and is only achievable by those who have put in a lot of practice. If you can type at this speed, you will be able to complete tasks very quickly and efficiently.
Is 90 Wpm Good?
Yes. If you can type at 90 wpm, you will be able to complete most writing tasks quickly and without too much strain on your fingers. This is a good wpm to aim for if you want to really kick your writing speed up a notch.
What Is the Average Wpm for A 15 Year Old?
There is no definitive answer to this question since everyone's typing speed will vary based on their age, skill level, and experience. However, according to TypingTest.com, the average typing speed for a 15-year-old is around 44 words per minute. This means that if you were to type for one minute straight, you would be able to write approximately 44 words in that time.
Of course, your typing speed can always improve with practice. If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the average wpm for your age group, you are welcome to bookmark this page and keep practicing for free.
