What's a Good Typing Speed?
The average person types about 40 words per minute. Above 60 WPM is genuinely fast, and professional typists often clear 80. Here's how typing speeds break down by skill level and age — and how to push yours higher.
[ TEST YOUR WPM → ]Typing speed by skill level
| Level | Typical WPM | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 10–25 | Still hunting for keys; not yet touch typing. |
| Average | ~40 | The typical adult speed on a keyboard. |
| Good | 50–65 | Comfortable touch typing with solid accuracy. |
| Fast / professional | 65–80 | The range expected for typing-heavy jobs. |
| Expert | 90–120+ | Highly practiced typists and competitors. |
These are general guidelines, not hard rules — accuracy and consistency matter as much as raw speed.
Typing speed by age
Speed grows with practice more than age, but rough expectations help kids and learners set goals:
- Kids (ages 6–11): roughly 15–25 WPM as they learn key positions.
- Teens (12–17): roughly 30–45 WPM with regular school use.
- Adults: around 40 WPM on average, higher with touch-typing practice.
For a child learning to type, focus on correct finger placement and accuracy first — speed follows naturally.
How to improve your WPM
- Practice in short daily sessions rather than rare long ones.
- Keep your fingers on the home row and avoid looking at the keyboard.
- Prioritize accuracy — corrections cost more time than they save.
- Drill the specific keys you find hardest instead of retyping what you already know.
Type Fast does the last one automatically: it tracks your per-key speed and accuracy and builds each lesson around your weakest keys.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed?
The average typing speed is around 40 WPM. Anything above 60 WPM is considered good, professional typists often type 65–80 WPM, and top typists exceed 100 WPM. For most people, 50–60 WPM with high accuracy is a strong, practical goal.
What is the average typing speed?
Most adults type about 40 words per minute on a physical keyboard. Speed varies widely with practice and familiarity with touch typing.
Does accuracy matter more than speed?
Yes. Fast typing with many errors is slower in practice because corrections cost time. Building accuracy first, then speed, produces the best long-term results.
How can I improve my WPM?
Practice touch typing daily in short sessions, keep your fingers on the home row, prioritize accuracy over raw speed, and drill the specific keys you find hardest. Adaptive trainers that focus on your weak keys improve speed fastest.