What it works out
Understanding typing speed
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM). Real words differ in length, so most tests count a standard word as five keystrokes, spaces and punctuation included. Gross WPM counts everything typed; net WPM takes off a penalty for each error left uncorrected.
Accuracy matters as much as speed. Offices and typing tests want clean text, and practising slowly and accurately is the quickest route to a higher speed.
Formula and worked example
Working out typing speed by hand
The calculator uses exactly these formulas. Write them in your notebook and check one answer by hand: it is the surest way to remember them.
The formula
- Gross WPM = (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes
- Net WPM = gross WPM − uncorrected errors ÷ minutes
- Accuracy = (characters − errors) ÷ characters × 100
- characters
- every keystroke that made it into the text, spaces included
- errors
- mistakes left in the final text
- minutes
- the time typed, with seconds as a fraction (90 s = 1.5 min)
Worked example
1,500 characters in 5 minutes with 6 errors
Standard words = 1,500 ÷ 5 = 300.
Gross WPM = 300 ÷ 5 = 60.
Net WPM = 60 − 6 ÷ 5 = 58.8.
Accuracy = (1,500 − 6) ÷ 1,500 × 100 = 99.6%.
Answer60 gross WPM, 58.8 net WPM, 99.6% accuracy
In projects and exams
How students use it
Characters or words, errors and time to gross WPM, net WPM and accuracy, plus a one-minute test. Here is where it earns its place in a school year.
Computer course practice
Record your net WPM each week and watch the line rise.
Typing tests for jobs
Practise in the format your test uses: read its official notice for the passage, the time and how errors are counted.
Hindi and English typing
Use the character count your practice software reports, so the five-character word stays the same yardstick.
A quick daily check
Take the one-minute test at the start of each practice session.
Check your work
Common mistakes to avoid
These are the slips that cost marks in exams and burn out parts on the bench.
Chasing speed before accuracy
Errors cost more than slow typing. Slow down until you make almost none, then build speed.
Looking at the keys
Keep your eyes on the text and your fingers on the home row (ASDF and JKL;).
Comparing different counts
A result in real words and one in five-character words are not the same; stick to one.
Practising too long at once
Short daily sessions with breaks beat one long, tired session.
Free ebooks
Read more about typing speed
Free PDF ebooks in easy English: download, print and share them.
Computer & office
Typing Speed Practice Workbook
Daily drills and passages to build speed and accuracy in English typing
Computer & office
Typing Study Book
The complete study notes, practice questions and glossary for Typing
Computer & office
Hindi Typing on a Computer
Type in Hindi with the Inscript keyboard and Unicode fonts, step by step
Computer & office
Keyboard Shortcuts Handbook
Work faster in Windows, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the web browser
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