WPM Chart and Typing Speed Benchmarks
Typing speed varies with age, experience, text difficulty, language, device and test duration. Use benchmark ranges as context rather than a judgment, and always read them alongside accuracy.
WPM Benchmarks
- 0–20 WPM: Beginner, still learning key positions.
- 20–40 WPM: Average, comfortable for daily computer use.
- 40–60 WPM: Above average, productive for most tasks.
- 60–80 WPM: Fast, efficient for extended typing.
- 80–100 WPM: Very fast, professional-level speed.
- 100+ WPM: Expert, achieved through years of consistent practice.
How WPM Is Calculated
WPM = (correct characters / 5) / elapsed minutes. Only correctly typed characters count. This is the standard formula used by typing professionals and recruiters.
Factors That Affect Comparison
- Duration: Shorter tests can inflate scores. 60 seconds is the standard.
- Text difficulty: Common words produce higher scores than technical text.
- Punctuation and numbers: Adding these lowers speed for most typists.
- Device: Physical keyboards generally produce higher speeds than phone screens.
- Language: Typing in your native language is usually faster.