How to type faster
To type faster, learn touch typing — the correct finger for every key — put accuracy before speed, and practise a little every day. This guide walks through the exact steps, habits and drills that take most people well past the average of ~40 WPM to a fast, comfortable 60+ WPM.
The fastest way to type faster is to learn touch typing — using the correct finger for every key without looking down — while keeping your accuracy above 95% and practising for 10–15 minutes a day. Speed is the natural result of accurate, well-practised technique, not something you force. With this approach most people reach a good 60 WPM within a couple of months.
Why you type slowly (and how to fix it)
Almost everyone who types slowly shares the same two habits: they hunt and peck with a few fingers, and they look at the keyboard while doing it. Both feel natural, and both put a hard ceiling on your speed — hunt-and-peck typists usually stall around 25–35 WPM no matter how many years they have been at it, because every keystroke starts with a visual search.
The fix is touch typing: assigning one correct finger to each key and letting muscle memory find it by feel. It covers less distance per keystroke, frees your eyes to read ahead, and is far less tiring. It feels slower for the first few sessions and then overtakes your old speed for good. If you only change one thing, change this — the free Learn Typing course rebuilds the habit from the home row up.
Learn touch typing, step by step
Speed is built on a foundation of correct technique. Work through these six stages in order — each teaches the right finger for a group of keys, then mixes them into real words. Do not rush ahead; a solid earlier stage makes every later one faster.
Accuracy before speed — always
It is tempting to chase a big WPM number, but speed built on mistakes is an illusion. Typing tests report net WPM, which subtracts your errors, so a clean 50 WPM at 98% accuracy beats a sloppy 70 WPM full of corrections. Every wrong keystroke costs a backspace and a retype — slower than simply getting it right the first time.
So slow down until you can hit keys cleanly, aim for 95% accuracy or higher, and let speed grow on that foundation. This matters even more for exams that disable backspace, like SSC CGL and CPCT, where a mistake cannot be undone. Curious what to aim for? See our guide to what a good typing speed is.
Six habits that build real speed
Once your fingers know the keys, these habits are what turn steady typing into fast typing. Fold them into every practice session:
Type in words, not letters
Read a whole short word, then let your fingers play it as one smooth motion instead of pressing each key deliberately.
Keep your eyes on the screen
Looking down feels easier at first but caps your speed. Trust your fingers and read the text ahead of where you are typing.
Hold a steady rhythm
An even, relaxed pace with few mistakes is faster overall than bursts of speed followed by backspacing.
Return to the home row
After every reach, spring the finger back to its home key so your hands never lose their place.
Relax your hands and posture
Loose wrists, light keystrokes and a straight back let you type faster for longer without fatigue or strain.
Practise little and often
10–15 focused minutes a day beats one long weekly session. Consistency is what builds muscle memory.
Practice drills to get faster
Practise on real text, not random letters — and target your weakest keys, which for most people are the number row and symbols. Mix these drills so practice stays varied and you keep improving:
Measure progress and push through plateaus
Retest yourself once or twice a week on the free typing speed test and note your net WPM and accuracy. Watching the number move is motivating, and it shows you which keys still slow you down. Here is a realistic timeline from an average starting point with short daily practice:
| Speed goal | Rough timeline | What it takes |
|---|---|---|
| 40 WPM (average) | 1–2 weeks | Reachable quickly once you stop hunting and pecking and use the correct fingers. |
| 60 WPM (good) | 4–8 weeks | A realistic target with short daily practice and accuracy kept above 95%. |
| 80 WPM (fast) | 2–4 months | Needs consistent practice and fluency on common words and sentences. |
| 100+ WPM (expert) | 6+ months | Sustained, deliberate practice — pushing speed in bursts, then consolidating accuracy. |
Hit a plateau? It usually means a handful of keys or old habits are holding you back. Push your speed in short bursts slightly faster than feels comfortable, then slow back down to lock in accuracy. Drill the specific words you miss most, and keep varying your practice text so you are not just repeating what you already type well.
Start typing faster today
Learn the correct fingers for free, then measure your WPM and watch it climb. No login, no download — just open, type, and improve.
Frequently asked questions
How can I type faster?
The fastest route is to learn touch typing — using the correct finger for every key without looking at the keyboard. Combine that with accuracy-first practice (aim for 95%+), short daily sessions of 10–15 minutes, and a steady rhythm rather than bursts. Speed grows naturally on top of good technique.
How long does it take to type faster?
Most people notice real improvement within a few weeks of short daily practice. Moving from hunt-and-peck to a comfortable 40 WPM often takes just a week or two, reaching a good 60 WPM typically takes one to two months, and 80–100+ WPM comes with several months of consistent practice.
Is it better to type fast or accurately?
Accurately. Every mistake means a backspace and a retype, which costs more time than typing a little slower and getting it right. Tests measure net WPM, which subtracts errors, so a clean 50 WPM beats an error-filled 70 WPM. Build accuracy to 95%+ first, then let speed follow.
How do I type without looking at the keyboard?
Learn the home row so your fingers always have a reference point (feel for the bumps on F and J), then practise reaching each key by feel with the on-screen keyboard as your guide. It feels slower for a few sessions, then becomes far faster than looking down ever was. Ninja Typing’s free Learn Typing course teaches exactly this.
What is the best way to practise typing?
Practise little and often — 10–15 focused minutes a day — on real text rather than random letters. Warm up on common words, drill your weakest keys (usually the number row and symbols), keep your eyes on the screen, and finish each session with a timed test so you can see your progress.
How can I type faster as a beginner?
Start with technique, not speed. Learn the home row, then add each row in order using the correct fingers, and keep accuracy high before pushing pace. Beginners improve fastest by not looking at the keyboard and practising a little every day. Follow the step-by-step Learn Typing course from the beginning.
Can I really increase my typing speed as an adult?
Yes. Typing is a motor skill built through repetition, and adults learn it well at any age. Correct technique plus consistent daily practice reliably raises speed — many adults go from around 30 WPM to 60+ WPM within a couple of months.
How do I get past a typing speed plateau?
Plateaus usually mean a few weak keys or old habits are holding you back. Push your speed in short bursts slightly faster than is comfortable, then slow back down to lock in accuracy. Drill the specific keys and words you miss most, and vary your practice text so you are not just repeating what you already type well.
What typing speed should I aim for?
A good target is 60 WPM — comfortably above the ~40 WPM average and enough for almost any job or exam. See our guide on what counts as a good typing speed for benchmarks by level, job and age, then measure yours with the free typing test.