Average Typing Speed: What Is Normal?

Wondering whether your typing speed is normal? The answer depends on who you compare yourself with and how the speed was measured. This guide explains what counts as an average typing speed, why published numbers disagree, and how to judge your own score fairly.

What is the average typing speed?

A figure often quoted for general computer users is around 40 words per minute (WPM). A widely cited 2018 study of about 168,000 volunteers who took an online typing test found an average of roughly 52 WPM. The second number is higher partly because people who choose to take a typing test tend to type more than the general population.

So a realistic summary is that most people type somewhere between 35 and 55 WPM, with many casual typists below that range and trained typists far above it.

Rough speed levels

These ranges are a guide for English text and are not official standards:

• Under 30 WPM: beginner, or someone who types with a few fingers and looks at the keys
• 30 to 45 WPM: average for everyday use
• 45 to 65 WPM: good, and enough for most office work
• 65 to 80 WPM: above average
• 80 WPM and higher: advanced
• 100 WPM and higher: expert level, reached by a small share of people

Why different tests give different results

• Formula: most tests count five characters as one word, but some count real words, and some count mistakes differently.
• Text: common short words are easier than long words, punctuation or numbers.
• Net or gross speed: gross speed counts everything you type. Net speed removes errors. Always check which one a number refers to.
• Test length: a 15-second sprint usually gives a higher WPM than a 5-minute test, where fatigue matters.
• Device: typing on a phone screen is much slower than on a physical keyboard.

What about age?

You will see charts online that give a different average for every age group, but numbers like these vary a lot between sources and tests, so treat them with caution. What matters most in practice is how much you have used a keyboard and whether you learned touch typing. Age can affect finger speed and reaction time, yet a person who types every day will usually beat a younger person who rarely uses a keyboard.

Accuracy matters as much as speed

A score of 70 WPM with 85 percent accuracy is not better than 55 WPM with 98 percent accuracy, because you spend your time fixing errors. Most employers and typing courses look for accuracy of about 95 percent or higher.

How to judge your own result

1. Take the test three or four times and use the average, not your best or worst round.
2. Use the same test each time so you compare like with like.
3. Look at accuracy and consistency, not only WPM.
4. Compare yourself with your own earlier results more than with other people.

Can you raise your average?

Yes. Learning touch typing and practicing for around 15 to 20 minutes a day raises speed for most people. See our guide on how to improve your typing speed for practical steps.