What counts as average?
Across the general population, hunt-and-peck typists average around 30–40 WPM, while people who touch-type without looking land around 50–60 WPM. The widely quoted "average" is about 40 WPM. A "word" in WPM is standardized to five characters, so speed is comparable regardless of how long the actual words are.
WPM benchmarks
| WPM | Level |
|---|---|
| Under 30 | Beginner / hunt-and-peck |
| 30–45 | Average |
| 45–60 | Above average / proficient |
| 60–80 | Fast touch typist |
| 80+ | Professional / exceptional |
Speed vs. accuracy
Raw WPM is meaningless without accuracy. Most tests report net WPM, which penalizes errors. Typing fast but sloppily and backspacing constantly is slower in practice than a steady, accurate 50 WPM. Aim for 95%+ accuracy first, then push speed.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average typing speed?
About 40 words per minute for the general population; touch typists average 50–60 WPM.
How is WPM calculated?
One "word" equals five characters, so WPM = (characters typed ÷ 5) ÷ minutes, usually adjusted for errors.
Is 40 WPM good?
It's exactly average. Above 60 WPM is fast, and professionals often exceed 80.