Typing Test FAQ
What is WPM?
WPM stands for Words Per Minute. Because words vary in length, the standard definition treats every 5 characters (including spaces) as one word. This normalization makes scores comparable across different texts.
The score shown is Net WPM: characters you typed correctly, divided by 5, minus a penalty for uncorrected errors. Errors you fix with Backspace during the test do not count against you — but they do slow you down, which already reduces your score.
What is Raw WPM?
Raw WPM is your speed before the error penalty is applied: every character left in your final text, right or wrong, divided by 5, over the length of the test. Net WPM is the same figure with uncorrected errors deducted. Typos you fixed with Backspace are not in either number.
The gap between the two tells you where to focus. A wide gap means accuracy is holding your score down rather than finger speed; a narrow gap means you are already typing cleanly and gains have to come from pace.
What is CPM?
CPM stands for Characters Per Minute. It is the rate at which you typed correct characters, not a raw count — 100 correct characters in a 15-second test is 400 CPM. CPM and WPM are directly related: WPM = CPM ÷ 5.
What is KPH?
KPH stands for Keystrokes Per Hour. It is the same measure as CPM scaled to an hour: KPH = CPM × 60. Many job postings — particularly data entry and administrative roles — state typing requirements in KPH rather than WPM. At 60 WPM, you are typing 18,000 KPH.
What is Accuracy?
Accuracy is the percentage of your final typed characters that were correct: Accuracy = correct characters ÷ (correct + uncorrected errors) × 100.
95% is generally considered a passing accuracy. Professional typists typically maintain 98% or higher.
What are Typos?
Typos is the total number of incorrect keypresses made during the test, including ones you corrected with Backspace. It reflects how many times your fingers hit the wrong key.
What are Uncorrected Typos?
Uncorrected Typos is the number of wrong characters that remained in your final input — errors you did not go back and fix. These directly reduce your WPM score.
What is Consistency?
Consistency measures how steady your speed was from one second to the next, expressed as a percentage. It is derived from the variation in your per-second WPM across the test: less variation scores higher.
Bursting and stalling lowers consistency even when your average speed is good. Steady typing is usually easier to build on, because an even pace means your technique is holding up rather than carrying you through in short sprints.
What is a good WPM?
- Beginner — 20–35 WPM
- Developing — 35–55 WPM
- Average — 55–70 WPM
- Fast — 70–90 WPM
- Advanced — 90–120 WPM
- Elite — 120+ WPM
The average office worker types around 40 WPM. Comfortable touch typists typically land in the 60–80 range.
How long is the test?
The test can be set to 15, 30, 60, or 120 seconds. The default is 60 seconds. You can change the duration before starting a test using the buttons above the typing area. Your selection is saved and will be remembered the next time you visit.
Does the test count spaces and punctuation?
Yes. Every character you type — letters, spaces, and punctuation — counts toward your CPM and WPM. The standard 5-character-per-word definition includes spaces.
How is this test different from other typing tests?
TypeSpeedTest.com uses a standard Net WPM calculation consistent with other major typing test platforms. Errors corrected with Backspace are not penalized beyond the time they cost you. Uncorrected errors carry an explicit WPM penalty.
How can I improve my WPM?
See the Touch Typing Tutorial for a full guide. The short answer: practice daily with a focus on accuracy first. Speed follows accuracy — trying to type fast before your accuracy is solid reinforces bad habits and slows long-term progress.
Found a bug or have a question?
The Contact page is the place. Bug reports, suggestions, and corrections are all welcome.