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Average Typing Speed — and What Counts as Good
The short answer
A commonly reported average for adults typing on a computer keyboard is about 40 words per minute. Most people fall between 30 and 50 WPM. The figure is backed by real test data, not just tradition: one large public dataset of 78 million typing tests reports a median of about 43 WPM. Treat every number on this page as a guide, not a law — your device, the test length and the text all move the result.
Score bands: what your WPM means
| Your WPM | Plain verdict |
|---|---|
| Under 20 | Beginner — completely normal if you are just starting, or type with two fingers |
| 20–29 | Learning — below average, but this is the range where practice improves you fastest |
| 30–39 | Approaching average — fine for light everyday typing |
| 40–49 | Average to good — the range most adults land in |
| 50–59 | Good — comfortable for most office jobs |
| 60–79 | Fast — data entry and admin territory |
| 80+ | Very fast — professional typist range |
Average typing speed by age
Age ranges are the broadest guides of all — a teenager who types every day will beat an adult who rarely touches a keyboard. These are the ranges most commonly reported across typing resources:
| Age group | Commonly reported WPM |
|---|---|
| Children (about 8–12) | 10–20 |
| Teenagers and students (13–18) | 25–40 |
| Adults (19–50) | 35–45 |
| Older adults (50+) | 25–40 |
Average typing speed by job
Job requirements vary by employer, and accuracy is always part of the requirement even when the listing only names a speed. These are the figures most often cited in job listings and typing resources:
| Job | Commonly expected WPM |
|---|---|
| Office and admin work | 40–60 |
| Data entry | 50–70 |
| Transcription | 65–85+ |
| Programmer | 40–60 on plain text — real coding speed is a different skill, heavy on symbols |
| Writer or editor | 50–70 |
Keyboard vs phone
Most people type noticeably more slowly on a phone's touch keyboard than on a physical keyboard, and a test score follows the device: the same person can easily score 10–15 WPM lower on a phone. Treat a phone score and a keyboard score as two different measurements, and always compare your progress on the same device.
Why different sources give different averages
Published averages disagree because the tests behind them disagree. Datasets from typing-test websites skew fast — people who seek out a typing test are usually interested in typing. Short tests inflate scores, tests that let errors slide inflate them further, and phone tests pull them down. That is why this page gives ranges instead of one magic number, and why the fairest comparison is always you against your own previous scores, on the same device and the same test length.
What is a good typing speed?
For general office work, 50 WPM with high accuracy is a genuinely good target — it covers email, documents and chat without typing ever being the bottleneck. Chasing 80 WPM while accuracy drops below 90% usually produces slower real work, because fixing errors costs more time than typing slightly slower.
Is 40 WPM good?
40 WPM is the average itself — perfectly fine for everyday use, and the lower edge of comfortable for office work. If you type 40 WPM accurately, typing is not holding you back in most jobs.
Is 50 WPM good?
Yes. 50 WPM is clearly above average and is the speed most people should aim for: employable, comfortable, and achievable for almost anyone with a few weeks of short daily practice.
Is 60 WPM good?
Yes — 60 WPM is fast. It puts you ahead of most everyday typists and within range of many data entry and admin roles, provided your accuracy stays high alongside it.
How to measure yourself honestly
- Use at least a one-minute test; 15-second scores swing wildly. The 2 minute typing test gives an even steadier reading.
- Repeat the test three times and compare averages, not bests.
- Watch accuracy alongside speed — the pair is the real skill.
- Retest weekly, not hourly; improvement shows over days.
Ready? Take the 1 minute typing test and see where you land. Then build the number up on the typing practice page, follow the guide to improving your typing speed, and check exactly how scores are worked out on the Scoring Methodology page.
Common questions
What is the average typing speed in WPM?
About 40 WPM for adults on a computer keyboard. One large public dataset of 78 million typing tests reports a median of about 43 WPM, which matches the commonly reported average.
Is 50 WPM good?
Yes. 50 WPM with high accuracy is a good, employable speed — enough for most office jobs, study and everyday writing, and clearly above the adult average.
Is 60 WPM good?
Yes — 60 WPM is fast. It puts you well above average and in range for many data entry and admin roles, as long as your accuracy stays high.
What typing speed do employers usually ask for?
It varies by role. Many office and admin listings commonly ask for 40–60 WPM, data entry often 50–70 WPM, and transcription work usually expects 65 WPM or more — always with accuracy.
Why is my score lower on a phone?
Most people type more slowly on a small touch keyboard than on a physical one, and autocorrect habits do not carry over to a test. Scores from different devices are not directly comparable — compare like with like.
How can I improve my average typing speed?
Short daily practice works better than occasional long sessions: accuracy first, then speed, about ten minutes a day. Our improvement guide and practice page give you a simple routine to follow.