What Is a Good Typing Speed?

A 'good' typing speed depends on what you need it for. For everyday computer use, being able to type without looking at the keyboard matters more than any particular number. For jobs that involve a lot of writing or data entry, speed and accuracy can make a real difference to how much you get done in a day.

Speeds are measured in words per minute (WPM), where one word equals five characters. Here are rough bands that most typing communities and test sites use.

Typing speed ranges

• Under 25 WPM — beginner. Often still looking at the keyboard or typing with a few fingers.
• 25–40 WPM — below average to average. Comfortable for casual use.
• 40–55 WPM — average to above average for adults who type daily.
• 55–75 WPM — good. Fast enough for nearly any office job.
• 75–100 WPM — fast. Typing is no longer a bottleneck for most writing.
• 100+ WPM — very fast. Usually the result of deliberate practice.

Accuracy matters as much as speed

A score of 80 WPM with 88% accuracy is worse in practice than 65 WPM at 98%, because every mistake has to be found and corrected later. Most people aim for at least 95% accuracy, and professional transcription work typically expects even higher.

This is why our test reports net WPM, which only counts correctly typed words. It reflects how much usable text you produce, not just how fast your fingers move.

What employers look for

General office and administrative roles often list 40–50 WPM as a requirement. Data entry, legal secretary, medical scribe and transcription roles commonly ask for 60 WPM or more. If a job posting lists a requirement, practise with a test of similar length — a two-minute test is a reasonable stand-in for most hiring assessments.