The average adult types around 40 words per minute. 40 WPM at 95 per cent accuracy or better is enough for most office, study and everyday work. Data entry and clerical roles commonly ask for 45 to 60 WPM, and anything above 70 WPM is fast. Accuracy matters more than raw speed, because every mistake costs more time to fix than it saved.
Typing speeds, and what they feel like
- Under 20 WPM: hunt-and-peck, eyes on the keyboard. Typing interrupts your thinking.
- 20 to 35 WPM: comfortable two-finger or early touch typing. Fine for short messages, slow for anything long.
- 40 WPM: about average for an adult, and roughly the speed of normal handwriting typed out. Enough for most jobs and study.
- 50 to 60 WPM: comfortably above average. Typing keeps up with your thoughts for most writing.
- 70 WPM and above: fast. Usual for people who write all day and were taught properly.
- 100 WPM and above: rare, and almost always touch typing with years of practice behind it.
Gross WPM, net WPM and accuracy
A word in typing is counted as five characters, spaces included, so speed is comparable whatever you are typing. Gross WPM counts everything you typed. Net WPM subtracts your mistakes, which is why it is the number worth quoting: it describes work you would not have to go back and fix.
Accuracy is the share of keystrokes that were correct. Below about 95 per cent, correcting errors eats the time your speed gained, and the result stops being useful to an employer or to you. Weak-key practice is the fastest way to lift it.
A 60 WPM result at 88 per cent accuracy is usually worth less than a 45 WPM result at 98 per cent. The first leaves a page of corrections; the second leaves finished work.
Speeds usually asked for by employers
- General office and administration: commonly 35 to 45 WPM with good accuracy.
- Data entry and clerical: commonly 45 to 60 WPM, often measured in keystrokes per hour rather than words.
- Transcription and secretarial: commonly 60 to 80 WPM with very high accuracy.
These are the ranges usually quoted in job adverts, not a standard. The only number that counts is the one in the advert or official notification you are applying under, so always check it there. If you are preparing for one, read what a data entry typing test involves.
How to measure your speed honestly
- Test for at least one minute, and preferably five, because short tests flatter you.
- Use text you have not seen before, not a passage you have practised.
- Sit as you normally do, with your normal keyboard.
- Record net WPM and accuracy together. One without the other means very little.
Questions people ask
Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?
Yes, for most purposes. 40 WPM is about the adult average and is enough for office work, study and everyday writing, provided your accuracy is around 95 per cent or better.
Is 40 WPM good enough for a job?
It meets the requirement in many general office and administrative roles. Dedicated data entry, clerical and transcription roles often ask for more, commonly 45 to 60 WPM, so check the advert.
What is the average typing speed?
Around 40 words per minute for adults using a full keyboard. Touch typists who write for a living are usually well above that, and people who have never been taught are usually below it.
Does accuracy matter more than speed?
For real work, yes. Errors have to be found and fixed, which costs more than the time saved by typing quickly. Most typing tests report net WPM for exactly this reason.
How can I increase my typing speed?
Type without looking, keep accuracy above 95 per cent, and practise the keys and words that slow you down rather than typing more of what you already type well. Speed follows accuracy; it does not lead it.