10 proven ways to type faster

Typing speed is a skill, and like every skill it improves with the right kind of practice. These ten habits work for beginners and for people already at 60+ WPM.

1. Learn proper touch typing

Rest your fingers on the home row (A S D F and J K L ;) and let each finger own a set of keys. Hunting and pecking tops out around 35 WPM; touch typing has no real ceiling.

2. Never look at the keyboard

Looking down trains your eyes instead of your fingers. Cover your hands with a cloth if you need to. Accept a slower speed for a week - it pays back quickly.

3. Accuracy before speed

Every mistake costs more time than a slightly slower pace. Aim for 95%+ accuracy, then push speed. Our lessons enforce this with accuracy goals.

4. Keep a steady rhythm

Fast typists are consistent, not bursty. After every test check the consistency score and try to make your keystrokes evenly spaced, like a metronome. The pace caret feature helps.

5. Look ahead

Read two or three words ahead of the one you are typing. Your eyes should always be slightly ahead of your fingers.

6. Drill your weak keys

Your slowest keys set your speed limit. Smart Practice builds drills from the keys you miss most.

7. Do not freeze after a mistake

Many typists stop dead for a second after an error. Fix it quickly and continue at the same pace - the results page shows how much you slow down.

8. Practise a little every day

Fifteen focused minutes daily beats a two-hour session on Sunday. Use the streak and daily challenge to stay consistent.

9. Mix your practice

Alternate between words, sentences, punctuation, numbers and code. Real-world typing is mixed, so should your training be.

10. Stay relaxed

Tense shoulders and hard key-pounding slow you down and cause strain. Keep your wrists neutral and your touch light.