Average Typing Speed
Global averages, benchmarks, and where you stand.
Global Average
The average typing speed for an adult computer user is approximately 40 WPM with around 92% accuracy. This figure is based on multiple large-scale studies and represents casual, untrained typists who use computers regularly for work or personal use.
What 100,000 Real Tests on This Site Show
Between April 11 and July 6, 2026, typists completed 100,079 valid tests on TypingTest.now. The results confirm the study-based averages above with first-party data: the median score was 39 net WPM and the mean was 42.5 — only 16% of all tests reached 60 WPM, and just 2% reached 100.
| Percentile | Net WPM | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | 22 | Slowest tenth — mostly hunt-and-peck typing |
| 25th | 30 | Bottom quarter |
| 50th (median) | 39 | The middle of the pack |
| 75th | 51 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th | 69 | Faster than 9 out of 10 tests |
| 95th | 83 | Trained touch-typist territory |
| 99th | 105 | Professional speed |
Median accuracy across all tests was 99% — most typists correct their errors as they go, trading raw speed for a clean result. If you score 60+ WPM on the 1-minute test, you are already faster than 84% of the results on this site.
Speed Drops as Tests Get Longer
The same dataset shows how burst speed fades over sustained typing — median net WPM by test duration:
| Test length | Tests taken | Median net WPM |
|---|---|---|
| 15 seconds | 12,690 | 49 |
| 30 seconds | 21,158 | 38 |
| 1 minute | 34,579 | 37 |
| 2 minutes | 6,969 | 35 |
| 3 minutes | 744 | 29 |
| 5 minutes | 3,953 | 37 |
| 10 minutes | 1,368 | 31 |
The 15-second sprint median (49 WPM) sits a full 18 WPM above the 10-minute median (31 WPM). Sprint scores flatter you; endurance scores describe your real working speed. That gap is why professional certifications use 5-minute or 10-minute tests.
Methodology: 100,079 completed tests on TypingTest.now, April 11 – July 6, 2026. Flagged results and implausible scores (0 or >250 net WPM, accuracy below 30%) were excluded. Net WPM subtracts an error penalty from gross speed — see how scoring works.
Average by Proficiency Level
| Category | Average WPM |
|---|---|
| Complete beginner | 10–20 |
| Casual user (untrained) | 35–45 |
| Regular computer user | 45–55 |
| Trained touch typist | 65–80 |
| Professional typist | 80–100 |
If you're just starting out, the free typing test — starting with beginner mode — is a good first step. If you're already a fast typist, see where you rank on the leaderboard.
Mobile vs Desktop Typing
Touchscreen typing on smartphones averages around 36–38 WPM according to studies on mobile input — lower than desktop, but far faster than early touchscreen predictions. Heavy mobile users who type constantly can reach 50+ WPM on a touchscreen. On a desktop with proper touch typing technique, these same people often type faster because they can use all ten fingers.
Does Speed Differ by Country?
Language significantly affects typing speed because English has a fairly high frequency of common short words and familiar letter combinations. Languages with longer words, different scripts, or unfamiliar keyboard layouts produce different average speeds. QWERTY is most common for English, but users of Dvorak or Colemak sometimes achieve higher sustained speeds with less finger travel.
How to Compare Yourself
If you type above 50 WPM with 95%+ accuracy, you're above average. Above 70 WPM puts you in the top 25% of regular users. Above 90 WPM puts you in roughly the top 5%. Find out what counts as a good score in the guide to good typing speed, and read the improvement guide if you want to move up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average typing speed?
The average adult types 38–45 WPM (around 40). Our own data agrees: across 100,079 real tests on TypingTest.now in 2026, the median was 39 net WPM and the mean 42.5. Most regular typists who practise can comfortably exceed it.
What is the average typing speed by age?
Children average 10–25 WPM, teenagers 35–45 WPM, and adults 38–45 WPM. These are baselines, not targets — accuracy matters more than raw speed at every age.
Is 40 WPM a slow typing speed?
No — 40 WPM is the adult average, not slow. It is functional for everyday use. Reaching 60+ WPM with touch typing is a realistic next step that makes typing feel effortless.
What percentage of people type over 60 WPM?
In 100,079 real tests on TypingTest.now (April–July 2026), 16% of results reached 60 WPM, 6% reached 80 WPM, and only 2% reached 100 WPM. Typing 60+ WPM puts you ahead of roughly 5 out of 6 test-takers.