Quick answer: This tool measures your typing speed in words per minute (WPM) and accuracy as you type a shown passage, calculated live: WPM is characters typed divided by 5, divided by minutes elapsed, and accuracy is the percentage of typed characters exactly matching the passage at that position. Nothing you type is uploaded.
Many administrative, data-entry and customer-support job applications ask you to state your typing speed, or test it directly. Type the passage shown as quickly and accurately as you can; your words per minute (WPM) and accuracy update live as you go.
How WPM is calculated
Words per minute is calculated the standard way: total characters typed divided by 5 (the average word length used in typing tests), divided by minutes elapsed. Accuracy is the percentage of typed characters that exactly match the passage at that position.
A worked example
Example. Typing a short passage in 20 seconds with no mistakes gives a clean, undiluted WPM figure; press "New passage" to try again with a different passage and compare your results.
Real-world examples
Before a data-entry job application that states a minimum WPM requirement, a candidate runs a few passages here first to confirm their real speed rather than guessing on the application form.
Practicing daily for a week and comparing the WPM figure each time gives a concrete, honest sense of whether typing speed is actually improving.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Judging your speed from a single short attempt. Try a few passages, since speed naturally varies run to run.
- Prioritizing speed over accuracy. Many employers weigh accuracy heavily, since a fast but error-filled typist creates more work, not less.
- Practicing only on easy, common words when the target job involves typing numbers, codes or technical terms, which type differently.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed?
Average typing speed is commonly cited around 40 WPM; many office and administrative roles look for 50 to 70+ WPM, though requirements vary by role.
Does this track my results over time?
No, each test is independent and nothing is saved between visits.
Is what I type uploaded anywhere?
No. Everything is measured locally in your browser.
Can I use this to prepare for a company typing test?
It is good general practice, though some employers use their own specific testing software, which may measure slightly differently.
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Sources and further reading
Formulas on this page are checked by automated tests against independent references. See how we test our tools.