Frequently Asked Questions
Words Per Minute (WPM) is calculated as the number of correct characters typed divided by 5 (standard word length), divided by the time in minutes. Net WPM subtracts errors: Net WPM = (correct_chars / 5) / minutes. The average typist is 40–60 WPM; professional typists average 75–100 WPM.
Under 30 WPM: beginner. 30–50 WPM: average. 50–70 WPM: above average. 70–90 WPM: fast. Over 90 WPM: very fast — in the top 1–5% of typists. The world record is over 200 WPM. For most office work, 50–70 WPM with high accuracy is more than sufficient.
Practice consistently using all 10 fingers (touch typing). Learn to keep your eyes on the screen, not the keyboard. Start slow and focus on accuracy — speed follows naturally. Practice 10–15 minutes daily. Common home row position: left hand on ASDF, right hand on JKL;. Use the correct finger for each key.