What Is a Good Typing Speed? Average WPM by Age and Job

Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), where one "word" is counted as five characters including spaces. That standard makes scores comparable whether the text has short words or long ones. You can find yours in a minute with a free typing test.

What the latest data says

Large test datasets give a realistic picture. Ratatype's analysis of 506,000 typing tests (April 2026) found the median typist in the 30 to 40 WPM band, with 60 to 80 WPM reached by roughly the top 5% and 80 WPM or more by about the top 1% (Ratatype). TypeQuicker's session data puts the average at around 44 WPM (TypeQuicker). The exact figure depends on who takes the test and how it is scored, but the message is the same: around 40 WPM is normal, and 60 WPM puts you well ahead of most people.

Rough speed bands for adults

• Under 25 WPM: beginner, usually still looking at the keys.
• Around 40 WPM: a typical adult speed.
• 50 to 60 WPM: comfortable and productive for office work.
• 70 to 80 WPM: fast; common among people who type all day.
• 100 WPM and above: very fast, usually years of practice.

These bands are a guide, not a rule. Different tests, text types and keyboards give different numbers, so compare yourself mainly with your own earlier results.

Typical speeds for children

Children's speeds rise with age and practice. Young learners who are still finding the keys often type well under 15 WPM, and that is fine. Many older primary students who practise regularly reach 15 to 25 WPM, and teenagers who use a keyboard daily often pass 30 to 40 WPM. For young children, correct finger placement matters far more than speed. Our guide to touch typing for kids covers when and how to start.

What employers often expect

Many office and administrative roles look for roughly 40 WPM or more. Data entry jobs often ask for 35 to 50 WPM with very high accuracy, and transcription work usually needs considerably more. Requirements vary by employer, so check the job advert. Our guide to typing tests for jobs explains the common formats, and you can rehearse with the job typing tests.

Why accuracy matters as much as speed

A score of 70 WPM with 88% accuracy means roughly one wrong character in every eight. In real work every error has to be found and fixed. Aim for at least 95% accuracy, and 98% or higher for work where mistakes are costly, such as entering data.

How to get a reliable number

1. Warm up for two or three minutes first.
2. Use a one-minute test or longer; very short tests swing a lot.
3. Take three runs and use the average.
4. Repeat with the same test each week and watch the trend.