What is a good typing speed?
A good typing speed is one that lets you get your thoughts down without the keyboard getting in the way. For most people that means typing without looking at the keys, at a pace that keeps up with their thinking, with few enough mistakes that fixing them does not slow them down.
Keystride speed levels
We use six levels on your results. They are our own bands, chosen so that each step is a noticeable jump in how typing feels.
| Level | Net WPM | What it usually feels like |
|---|---|---|
| Building | under 35 | You still look for some keys. Focus on accuracy and the home row. |
| Steady | 35 to 49 | Comfortable for messages and short emails. |
| Fluent | 50 to 69 | Typing keeps up with your thinking most of the time. |
| Fast | 70 to 89 | Long documents and live notes feel easy. |
| Very fast | 90 to 119 | Faster than most people need for daily work. |
| Elite | 120 and above | Competitive territory, built on years of practice. |
Accuracy matters as much as speed
Speed without accuracy is a trap. Every mistake costs you the time to notice it, delete it and type it again. Aim for at least 95% accuracy before you push for speed. Above 97%, your speed tends to rise on its own.
Compare like with like
A score on easy, common words with no punctuation will always be higher than a score on long words with capitals and symbols. When you compare yourself with friends, or with your own progress, use the same test settings. The Standard test exists for exactly this reason.
How to know your real speed
- Take three one-minute tests and use the average, not your best.
- Use text with punctuation, because real writing has it.
- Check your stats over a week, not a single day.
Put it into practice. Take a typing test, then use smart practice to work on the keys the results point to.