What is a good typing speed?
A good typing speed is about 45–60 words per minute (WPM) — comfortably above the roughly 40 WPM average. This guide breaks down the WPM benchmarks by level, job and age so you can see exactly where you stand, and lets you measure your own speed in seconds.
A good typing speed is roughly 45 to 60 WPM, which is faster than the average person (about 40 WPM). Above 60 WPM is considered fast, and professional typists usually reach 80 WPM or more. For almost every job, exam and everyday task, 45–60 WPM with at least 95% accuracy is more than enough — and accuracy matters just as much as raw speed.
Typing speed levels: from beginner to pro
Words per minute is scored using the standard five-character rule: every five characters you type — letters, numbers and spaces — count as one “word.” That is the same method the Ninja Typing speed test uses, so your result here lines up with real assessments. Here is how typing speeds are usually grouped:
| Level | Speed | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | Under 30 WPM | Just starting out, usually hunt-and-peck (looking at the keys). Everyone begins here. |
| Average | 30 – 44 WPM | The typical everyday typist. The most widely cited average sits at about 40 WPM. |
| Above average · good | 45 – 59 WPM | Comfortably faster than most people and enough for nearly every office or admin job. |
| Fast | 60 – 79 WPM | Quicker than the large majority of typists. Ideal for writing-heavy and support roles. |
| Professional | 80 – 99 WPM | The level of full-time typists, transcriptionists and data-entry specialists. |
| Expert · competitive | 100+ WPM | Elite territory — competitive typists and record holders reach 120 to 200+ WPM. |
What is the average typing speed?
The most commonly cited average typing speed is around 40 WPM. It is a useful reference point, but the number hides a lot of variation. The single biggest factor is technique: people who touch-type — using the correct finger for each key without looking down — routinely type 60–80 WPM, while people who hunt and peck often stall in the 25–35 WPM range no matter how long they have used a keyboard.
Age, daily practice and the kind of text also move the number. Familiar prose types faster than passwords, code or figures, which is why a data-entry or coding test can feel slower than a plain paragraph. If you have never been taught the correct fingers, the fastest way to climb well past the average is the free Learn Typing course — it rebuilds your technique from the home row up.
Is my typing speed good? WPM by the numbers
Wondering whether your score is any good? Find your speed below for a quick verdict — then take the test to see exactly where you land.
Below average and typical of hunt-and-peck. A fine starting point — well worth improving.
Just under the ~40 average. Workable for casual use; keep practising to reach 40+.
Right at the average. Solid for everyday use and enough for many entry-level jobs.
Above average and a comfortable speed for most office and administrative work.
Faster than most people and above what the vast majority of jobs actually require.
Quicker than the large majority of typists — great for writing-heavy roles.
Professional-grade speed, on par with full-time typists and transcribers.
Expert level. Only a small fraction of people type this fast.
Good typing speed by job & use case
“Good” really depends on what you are typing for. Here is a realistic target for common goals, each with a practice test in the exact format so you can train for the real thing:
Typing speed by age (rough guide)
Typing speed climbs with practice more than age, but these ranges give a rough sense of what is typical at each stage. Treat them as loose guidance — a well-practised teenager easily out-types many adults.
| Age / stage | Typical speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Children (7–10) | 10–15 WPM | Learning letters — focus on the correct fingers, not speed. |
| Pre-teens (11–13) | 15–25 WPM | Building familiarity and confidence with the keyboard. |
| Teenagers (14–17) | 25–40 WPM | Approaching adult speeds with regular practice. |
| Students & young adults | 35–45 WPM | Around or just above the overall average. |
| Adults (general) | ~40 WPM | The commonly cited overall average speed. |
Why accuracy matters as much as speed
Raw speed is only half the story. Most typing tests report net WPM, which subtracts your mistakes from your gross speed — so a clean 50 WPM at 98% accuracy beats a sloppy 70 WPM riddled with errors. Every wrong keystroke costs you a backspace and a retype, which is slower overall than simply getting it right the first time.
That is why a good typing speed always comes with a good accuracy figure. Aim for 95% accuracy or higher, and in exam settings that disable the backspace key — like SSC CGL and CPCT — accuracy matters even more, because a mistake cannot be undone. The habit to build is simple: slow down until you are accurate, and let speed grow on top of that foundation.
How to improve your typing speed
Getting to a good typing speed is mostly about correct technique plus short, regular practice. For the full playbook, read our guide on how to type faster. To build the technique from the ground up, work through the free Learn Typing course in order — each stage teaches the right finger for every key, then builds toward real words and sentences:
See where you stand — take the test
Measure your real WPM and accuracy in under a minute. No login, no download, instant report card — then keep practising until a good typing speed feels easy.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed?
A good typing speed is roughly 45 to 60 words per minute (WPM) — comfortably above the average of about 40 WPM. Anything past 60 WPM is fast, and full-time professional typists usually work at 80 WPM or more. For most jobs and everyday use, 45–60 WPM with 95% or higher accuracy is more than enough.
What is the average typing speed?
The most widely cited average typing speed is around 40 WPM. People who touch-type (using the correct fingers without looking) tend to sit well above that, while those who hunt and peck are usually below it. Speed also varies with age, practice and the type of text being typed.
Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?
40 WPM is exactly average. It is a solid, workable speed for everyday use and is enough for many entry-level office and data jobs. If you want an edge in exams or the workplace, aim to push past it toward 50–60 WPM while keeping your accuracy high.
Is 60 WPM a good typing speed?
Yes. 60 WPM is a good, above-average speed that is faster than most people and higher than the vast majority of jobs require. It sits at the boundary between "good" and "fast," and it is a realistic target for anyone who practises the correct technique regularly.
Is 30 WPM slow?
30 WPM is slightly below the ~40 WPM average, but it is still usable for casual typing. It is a very common speed for people who have not learned touch typing. Learning the correct fingers on the home row is the fastest way to move from 30 WPM up into the 40–60 WPM range.
What is considered a fast typing speed?
Typing above 60 WPM is generally considered fast, and 80 WPM or more is professional-grade. Competitive typists and world-record holders reach well over 120 WPM, and the fastest verified speeds exceed 200 WPM — but those are rare extremes, not everyday targets.
What is a good typing speed for a job?
It depends on the role. Office and admin jobs generally expect 40–50 WPM, data-entry and BPO roles look for 45–60 WPM with high accuracy, and transcription can require 60–80+ WPM. Government typing tests such as SSC and CPCT usually set 30–35 WPM in English and 25–30 WPM in Hindi. You can practise the exact format for each on Ninja Typing.
Does accuracy matter more than typing speed?
Accuracy is at least as important as speed. Every mistake means a backspace and a retype, which costs more time than typing a little slower and getting it right. Most tests measure net WPM, which subtracts your errors, so a clean 50 WPM beats an error-filled 70 WPM. Aim for 95% accuracy or higher, then build speed on top of it.
How can I improve my typing speed?
Learn to touch-type with the correct finger for each key, practise for 10–15 focused minutes a day, and keep your eyes on the screen rather than the keyboard. Prioritise accuracy first — speed follows naturally. Ninja Typing’s free step-by-step course takes you from the home row to full sentences, and the timed tests let you track your WPM as it grows.
What is a good typing speed for a student?
Most students type around 35–45 WPM, close to the overall average. Reaching 45–60 WPM is a strong, useful target that speeds up notes, assignments and online exams. Younger children are still learning the keyboard, so accuracy and correct finger habits matter far more than speed at that stage.