Typing speed statistics
The average typing speed is about 40 WPM. This page pulls the key typing-speed statistics into one place — the average, the full WPM distribution, accuracy norms, speed by profession, and the fastest typing speeds ever recorded — then lets you measure your own.
The average typing speed is about 40 words per minute (WPM) at roughly 90–95% accuracy. Skilled touch typists reach 60–80 WPM, professional typists 80–100+ WPM, and the fastest typing speed ever recorded is 216 WPM. Speed depends far more on technique — touch typing versus hunt-and-peck — than on the keyboard or how many years you have used one.
What is the average typing speed?
Across the general population, the average typing speed is around 40 WPM. It is the number most often quoted, but it hides a wide spread that comes down mostly to technique. The table below shows typical speeds for different kinds of typist:
| Typist | Typical speed | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hunt-and-peck typists | 25–35 WPM | Two to four fingers, eyes on the keyboard. |
| General population | ~40 WPM | The single most widely cited overall average. |
| Students | 35–45 WPM | Around or a little above the overall average. |
| Skilled touch typists | 60–80 WPM | Correct fingers, eyes on the screen. |
| Professional typists | 80–100+ WPM | Full-time typists, transcribers and data specialists. |
The typing speed distribution
Typing speeds cluster in the middle and thin out at the extremes. The majority of people type between roughly 30 and 45 WPM; relatively few sustain 80 WPM, and speeds above 100 WPM are rare. Here is the general shape of the distribution:
| Speed band | How common | Who’s here |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 WPM | Common | Beginners and hunt-and-peck typists. |
| 30 – 45 WPM | Most common | Where the majority of people fall — around the average. |
| 45 – 60 WPM | Common | Above-average, capable touch typists. |
| 60 – 80 WPM | Less common | Fast, well-practised typists. |
| 80 – 100 WPM | Uncommon | Professional-grade speed. |
| 100+ WPM | Rare | Expert and competitive typists. |
Typing speed by profession
Different jobs demand different speeds. These are the typical expectations by role — each links a practice test in the matching format so you can measure yourself against the standard:
Typing accuracy statistics
Speed only counts when it is accurate. Typical typing accuracy sits around 90–95%, and because most tests report net WPM — your gross speed minus mistakes — accuracy feeds straight into your score. A clean 50 WPM at 98% accuracy beats a sloppy 70 WPM riddled with errors, since every mistake costs a backspace and a retype.
That is why the best typists train accuracy first and let speed follow. Aim for 95% or higher, and read our guide on how to type faster to build both at once.
The fastest typing speeds ever recorded
At the very top end, human typing speed reaches astonishing figures. These are the most commonly cited records:
| Record holder | Speed | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Stella Pajunas | 216 WPM | 1946, on an IBM electric typewriter — a long-cited world record for sustained speed. |
| Barbara Blackburn | 150 WPM sustained · 212 peak | Guinness-recognised fastest English-language typist, using the Dvorak keyboard layout. |
| Top online typists | 200+ WPM (bursts) | On competitive typing sites, elite players exceed 200 WPM over short passages. |
What affects typing speed
Why do two people who have used keyboards for the same number of years type at wildly different speeds? These are the factors that matter most:
Technique
The biggest factor by far. Touch typists routinely reach double the speed of hunt-and-peck typists.
Practice
Typing is a motor skill — regular practice steadily raises speed at any age.
Keyboard layout
QWERTY vs Dvorak or Colemak makes only a marginal difference for most people; technique matters far more.
Type of text
Plain prose types faster than numbers, code, symbols or unfamiliar words.
Language & familiarity
Familiar words in your native language flow faster than technical or foreign text.
Looking down
Glancing at the keys for every keystroke caps speed — reading ahead is what makes typists fast.
The statistics on this page are compiled from widely-reported typing benchmarks and commonly cited speed records, and are presented as general ranges rather than precise measurements. Ninja Typing measures speed as net WPM using the standard 1-word-=-5-characters formula. As we aggregate our own anonymised test results, we will publish first-party Ninja Typing statistics here — so the numbers stay current and grounded in real practice.
See how you compare
Take the free typing test to find your own WPM and accuracy, then check the benchmarks to see exactly where you land against the averages above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average typing speed?
The most widely cited average typing speed is about 40 words per minute (WPM), typically at around 90–95% accuracy. Skilled touch typists usually type 60–80 WPM, while hunt-and-peck typists tend to sit in the 25–35 WPM range. The figure varies with age, practice and the type of text.
What is a good typing speed?
A good typing speed is roughly 45–60 WPM — comfortably above the ~40 WPM average — and anything past 60 WPM is fast. For a full breakdown by level, job and age, see our guide on what a good typing speed is.
What percentage of people type over 100 WPM?
Only a small minority. Most people cluster between 30 and 45 WPM, and speeds above 80 WPM are uncommon. Typing over 100 WPM is rare and is generally seen only among expert and competitive typists who have trained deliberately for speed.
What is the fastest typing speed ever recorded?
A commonly cited record is 216 WPM, set by Stella Pajunas in 1946 on an IBM electric typewriter. Barbara Blackburn, recognised by Guinness as the fastest English-language typist, sustained 150 WPM with peaks around 212 WPM using the Dvorak layout. On modern online typing tests, elite players have recorded bursts above 200 WPM.
How fast do professional typists type?
Professional typists generally work at 80–100+ WPM. Transcriptionists, who must keep pace with speech, often reach 60–90 WPM, and data-entry specialists typically type 45–60 WPM with very high accuracy.
What is the average typing accuracy?
Typical typing accuracy sits around 90–95%. Because most tests report net WPM — which subtracts your mistakes — accuracy directly affects your score, so a clean 50 WPM can beat an error-filled 70 WPM. Aiming for 95% or higher is a good target.
Does typing speed depend on the keyboard?
Far less than most people expect. Alternative layouts like Dvorak and Colemak offer only a marginal advantage for the average person. Technique (touch typing vs hunt-and-peck) and practice determine your speed far more than the keyboard or layout you use.
How is typing speed measured?
Typing speed is measured in words per minute using the standard five-character rule: every five characters typed, including spaces, count as one word. Net WPM subtracts your errors from that figure. Ninja Typing uses this net WPM method, so results match professional typing assessments.