The average typing speed is around 40words per minute. To achieve a high level of productivity, aim for 60to70 words per minute instead. The following table presents different levels of assessment for an adult.
| Targets for an adult | Words per minute (wpm) | Characters per minute (cpm) |
|---|
| Average speed | 40 wpm and over | 200 cpm and over |
| Above average speed | 50 wpm and over | 250 cpm and over |
| Productive speed | 60 wpm and over | 300 cpm and over |
| High speed | 70 wpm and over | 350 cpm and over |
| Competitive speed | 120 wpm and over | 600 cpm and over |
Which speed target should you set?
The right speed target depends on your age and your goals. And speed isn’t everything when it comes to learning! It is just as important to develop accuracy. This table provides some guidelines to help you set the right goals for training.
| Age range | Beginner | Intermediate | Expert |
|---|
| 6 to 11 years old | 15 wpm(75 cpm)80% accuracy | 25 wpm(125 cpm)85% accuracy | 35 wpm (175 cpm)90% accuracy |
| 12 to 16 years old | 30 wpm(150 cpm)85% accuracy | 40 wpm(200 cpm)90% accuracy | 50 wpm(250 cpm)95% accuracy |
| 17 years old and over | 45 wpm(225 cpm)90% accuracy | 55 wpm(275 cpm)95% accuracy | 65 wpm(325 cpm)100% accuracy |
Do you use Typing Pal at school? See our typing accuracy lesson plan to better instruct your students on the subject.
Do you want to improve your typing speed?
Typing faster means learning how to properly position your hands, use all the fingers, hit the right keys without looking at them and avoiding mistakes. If you don’t fully master at least one of these aspects, you could benefit from typing training.
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FAQs
Lastly, while 40 wpm is a typical requirement for many jobs, certain administrative positions require up to 60 wpm. So the faster and more accurate your students eventually type, the more job opportunities become available to them.
What is a good typing speed for a resume? ›
It's calculated in words per minute (WPM). A good typing speed in the workplace is around 40 to 60 WPM. Roles involving more typing, such as data entry or transcription, usually require employees to have a higher speed – around 60 to 90 WPM.
What is a good score on the typing speed test? ›
The average typing speed is around 40 words per minute (wpm). If you want to be very productive, you should aim for a typing speed of 65 to 70 words per minute.
What is a good typing speed to get a job? ›
Most jobs do not explicitly require certain typing speeds, but that's because basic typing skills are taken as a given. Thus, you should aim for a typing speed of at least 40 WPM to keep up a standard level of efficiency at work. For some professions, the standards are higher.
How to pass a 40 WPM typing test? ›
11 tips for improving your typing speed
- Test Your Current Typing Speed. ...
- Make your Goal Progress, not Perfection. ...
- Learn to Touch Type. ...
- Learn the Proper Typing Home Row Position. ...
- Practice Proper Posture. ...
- Don't Look at Your Keyboard. ...
- Practice Typing Regularly. ...
- Optimize Your Setup.
Highlight the benefits of your typing speed with on-the-job accomplishments. For example, you could write: Leveraged a typing speed of 90 WPM to efficiently document meeting minutes, resulting in a 40% reduction in post-meeting administrative time.
What is your typing speed interview answer? ›
Answer: Currently, my typing speed is 70 words per minute. I regularly practice typing exercises and use online platforms to improve my speed and accuracy. I understand the importance of continuous improvement in this aspect of the role.
What is the average acceptable typing speed? ›
For most people, the average typing speed is around 40 words per minute. However, for admins and executive assistants whose jobs heavily rely on computer skills, the average typing speed is around 60 words per minute. If you can produce at least 80 words per minute, you are considered an advanced typist.
What is a bad typing speed? ›
Below 20 WPM: This is considered a very slow typing speed. It may indicate a need for significant improvement. 20-40 WPM: This range is below the average typing speed but still functional for most basic tasks. 40-60 WPM: Falling into this range demonstrates proficiency in typing.
What is a good typing speed for a beginner? ›
Final Target
| Age range | Beginner | Expert |
|---|
| 6 to 11 years old | 15 wpm (75 cpm) 80% accuracy | 35 wpm (175 cpm) 90% accuracy |
| 12 to 16 years old | 30 wpm (150 cpm) 85% accuracy | 50 wpm (250 cpm) 95% accuracy |
| 17 years old and over | 45 wpm (225 cpm) 90% accuracy | 65 wpm (325 cpm) 100% accuracy |
While both skills are an important part of being a proficient touch typist, for beginners, there is nothing more important than accuracy. Speed will come with practice and repetition, but if students internalize bad habits by sacrificing accuracy for speed early on, these habits can be difficult to unlearn.
What is the average speed of a good typist? ›
The average typing speed is around 40 words per minute. To achieve a high level of productivity, aim for 60 to 70 words per minute instead. The following table presents different levels of assessment for an adult.
How fast do you have to type to do data entry? ›
On average, data entry roles often require a typing speed of at least 45 words per minute. Some data entry positions are more demanding than others.
How do I increase my typing speed? ›
Follow these steps to improve your typing skills:
- Familiarize yourself with the keyboard. Familiarize yourself with the proper hand position on the keyboard. ...
- Learn the proper typing position. ...
- Start by typing slowly to avoid mistakes. ...
- Practice often.
Practising 'little and often' (15 -30 minutes a day) works much better than an hour or more once a week. If you practise regularly and don't give up, you should be able to learn to touch type fluently in 2-3 months, maybe even less. A total of 10 – 15 hours of practice should get you touch typing slowly.
Should I put 60 WPM on my resume? ›
Be honest about your skill level. If you type 60 WPM, state that number clearly on your resume. Avoid vague terms like "fast" or "efficient" as they are subjective and do not provide a clear picture of your abilities. Instead, use specific metrics that can be backed up by the typing test certification you've obtained.
What is an impressive typing speed? ›
Typically, professional typists type at speeds of 43 to 80 wpm, while some positions can require 80 to 95 (usually the minimum required for dispatch positions and other time-sensitive typing jobs), and some advanced typists work at speeds above 120 wpm.
What is a good typing speed for data entry jobs? ›
The typing speed for a Data Entry Assistant typically ranges between 50 to 80 words per minute (WPM) or higher. Accuracy is also crucial, as data entry involves inputting information quickly and without errors.
How many WPM is considered fast? ›
60-80 is considered a fast WPM, but 30-40 is average for most adults.
