How to Measure Your Typing Speed (WPM)
What WPM & CPM mean, and how the test measures them
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How to do it — step by step
Take a 60-second timed test
Open the test on the homepage, pick “Timed test” and 60 seconds, then tap the typing box and start typing the passage. The timer starts on your first keystroke. Sixty seconds is the standard length for measuring typing speed — long enough to be fair, short enough to repeat.
Read your WPM, CPM and accuracy
When the test ends you get three numbers: WPM (words per minute), CPM (characters per minute) and accuracy (the percentage of characters you typed correctly). All three are shown live while you type, so you can watch them change.
Try a word race too
Switch to “Word race” and pick 25, 50 or 100 words. Instead of racing the clock, you race to finish the passage — the test times how long you take. Word races measure the same skill in a different way, and some people score better in one format than the other.
Compare tests fairly
Only compare results taken at the same settings: the same length, the same difficulty and the same mode. A 15-second test gives a higher WPM than a 120-second test, and an easy passage gives a higher WPM than a hard one — so a fair comparison needs the same test every time.
Track your best score and history
Your best WPM and your last 10 results are saved in your browser, so you can watch your speed climb over days and weeks. Test yourself once a day at the same settings and the trend — not any single result — is your real typing speed.
About how to measure your typing speed (wpm)
WPM means words per minute, and it is the standard measure of typing speed everywhere — in job adverts, in exams and in typing tests. It is calculated with a simple formula: WPM = (correct characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes. Five characters, including spaces, count as one word. So if you type 300 correct characters in one minute, your speed is 60 WPM. Only correctly typed characters count: a wrong letter does not add to your speed, which is why accuracy and speed are measured together. A 60-second test is the fairest single measure — 15 seconds is too short to settle, and 120 seconds tests stamina as much as speed.
CPM means characters per minute — how many correct characters you type in a minute. It is the finer measure of the two: if two people both type 50 WPM, the one with the higher CPM typed more characters. CPM is useful when you are comparing small improvements, because it moves in smaller steps than WPM. On this test both numbers are shown live while you type and in your result at the end, together with your accuracy. Together the three numbers tell the whole story: WPM for your headline speed, CPM for the fine detail, and accuracy for how clean your typing is.
Timed tests and word races measure the same skill in different ways, and each has its own use. In a timed test — 15, 30, 60 or 120 seconds — you type as much as you can before the clock runs out, so it measures your sustained speed under pressure. In a word race — 25, 50 or 100 words — you type a fixed passage as fast as you can, so it measures how quickly you can finish a real piece of text. Timed tests are better for comparing yourself over time, because every test lasts the same length; word races are better for a quick challenge, because a 25-word race takes less than a minute. Try both, and use the same one each day when you are tracking your progress.
So what is a good typing speed? An average typist scores 35–45 WPM. Office and data-entry jobs usually ask for 40 WPM or more, a good typist reaches 60 WPM, and professionals type 80–100 WPM. But a single test result is not your speed — your speed is the average of several tests at the same settings, because every passage is different and every day is different. Take three 60-second tests at medium difficulty, average the WPM, and that is your real number. Then test again once a week at the same settings: if the average climbs by a few points a month, you are improving, and the best score saved on this site will show you exactly how far you have come.
Try it now
Measure your speed now — take a free typing test — free, no sign-up, and your results stay on your device.
How to Improve Typing Accuracy — also read our 10 typing tips.
Frequently asked questions
What does WPM mean?
WPM means words per minute. It is calculated as (correct characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes — five characters, including spaces, count as one word. Only correctly typed characters count towards your speed.
What does CPM mean?
CPM means characters per minute — how many correct characters you type in a minute. It is a finer measure than WPM: if two people both type 50 WPM, the one with the higher CPM typed more characters.
How is my typing speed measured on this test?
You type a passage and the test counts your correct characters and the time taken, then applies the standard formula. Your WPM, CPM and accuracy are shown live while you type and in your result at the end.
Timed test or word race — which is better?
Both measure the same skill. Timed tests (15–120 seconds) measure sustained speed under pressure and are best for tracking progress. Word races (25–100 words) measure how fast you can finish a fixed passage. Try both.
What is a good typing speed?
35–45 WPM is average, 40 WPM or more is what most office jobs ask for, 60 WPM is good, and 80–100 WPM is professional level. Your real speed is the average of several tests at the same settings.
Is the typing speed test free?
Yes, 100% free, no sign-up, no limits. Take the test as many times as you like, and your best score and last 10 results are saved in your browser only — nothing is uploaded.
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