Typing Speed Statistics
Real numbers from tests taken on this site, not figures copied from someone else's blog post. Everything below is generated from the results database and refreshes hourly. Free to cite — a link back is appreciated.
How to read these numbers
- This is a self-selected sample. People who look up a typing test are more interested in typing than average, so these figures skew slightly high against the general population.
- Only saved results count. Scores are saved deliberately, and people save good runs more often than bad ones.
- Accuracy is character-level, not word-level, so it is stricter than the percentage some other tests report.
- A "word" is five characters including spaces — the industry standard, which keeps these numbers comparable with other tests.
Using this data
Cite it freely with a link to this page. The typing test guide explains how WPM is calculated, and the leaderboard shows the individual top scores behind the "best recorded" column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average typing speed?
Around 40 words per minute is the widely cited average for adults. On this site's saved results the average runs a little higher, because people taking a typing test online are a self-selected group.
What counts as a fast typing speed?
A fast typing speed is 60 to 80 words per minute. Above 100 WPM sustained at high accuracy puts a typist in the fastest few percent.
Why do longer tests produce lower scores?
Concentration and hand tension both degrade over time. Most typists lose 5 to 15 percent between a one minute test and a five minute one, and the gap is a measure of stamina rather than skill.
Can I use these statistics in an article?
Yes. The data is free to cite under CC BY 4.0 with a link back to this page.