WPM Test
Find out exactly how many words per minute you type, with accuracy and consistency tracked alongside.
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WPM, defined precisely
WPM (words per minute) is the number of words you type correctly in one minute, where a “word” is standardized as five characters — including spaces and punctuation — rather than a real dictionary word. That fixed definition is what makes one WPM score comparable to another, no matter what text was typed.
Gross WPM vs net WPM
- Gross WPM = (all characters typed ÷ 5) ÷ minutes — counts everything, mistakes included.
- Net WPM = gross WPM − (uncorrected errors ÷ 5) ÷ minutes — the number shown here, and the one that matters for a real comparison.
Example: 300 characters typed in 60 seconds with 10 uncorrected errors is 60 gross WPM, but only 58 net WPM once those errors are subtracted.
What a WPM score actually means
| Net WPM | Typical of |
|---|---|
| 25–40 | Hunt-and-peck to average casual typing |
| 40–60 | Regular computer user |
| 60–80 | Fast, trained touch typist |
| 80–100+ | Professional typist / transcriptionist |
For the full definition and history of the metric, see What Is WPM?
Frequently Asked Questions
Words per minute. It is the standard unit for typing speed, calculated as (characters typed ÷ 5) ÷ minutes elapsed.
Most tests, including this one, use net WPM — mistakes are subtracted. Slowing down slightly for accuracy almost always produces a higher net score.
Practise touch typing without looking at the keyboard, keep your accuracy above 95%, and do short daily sessions rather than occasional long ones.
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