Tips › What is a good typing speed? Average WPM by level
What is a good typing speed? Average WPM by level
The average adult types around 40 words per minute with roughly 92% accuracy. But "good" depends on what you need typing for.
| WPM | Level | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Under 25 | Beginner | Hunt-and-peck, occasional typing |
| 25 - 39 | Improving | Students, casual users |
| 40 - 59 | Intermediate | Average office work |
| 60 - 79 | Advanced | Admin, writers, programmers |
| 80 - 99 | Expert | Transcription, data entry professionals |
| 100+ | Elite | Top 1-2% of typists, competitive typing |
Typical job requirements
Data-entry and clerical roles commonly ask for 30-45 WPM; transcription and court roles may expect 60-80 WPM. Check each employer's requirement.
How fast can you realistically improve?
With 15 minutes of daily practice, most beginners add around 1 WPM per week at low speeds and roughly 0.5 WPM per week around 50-60 WPM. Gains slow as you get faster - that is normal.
Measure yourself
Use our free typing test for a 1-minute baseline, then retest weekly under the same conditions.