Frequently Asked Questions about Typing Speed Test
How does the typing speed test work?
The test displays a passage of text that you type as quickly and accurately as possible within a time limit. Choose from 15-second, 30-second, 60-second, or 120-second tests. As you type, correct characters are highlighted in green and errors in red. When the timer ends, your results are calculated including words per minute (WPM), accuracy percentage, and total characters typed. Your personal best scores are saved locally.
What is a good typing speed in WPM?
The average typing speed is around 40 WPM (words per minute). A speed of 50-60 WPM is considered above average and sufficient for most office work. 70-80 WPM is fast and typical of experienced typists. 90-100+ WPM is very fast and common among professional typists, programmers, and writers. Touch typists who have practiced regularly can reach 120+ WPM. Speed matters less than a combination of speed and high accuracy.
What are the best tips to improve typing speed?
Learn proper touch typing technique by placing your fingers on the home row (ASDF JKL;) and using the correct finger for each key. Practice regularly in short sessions rather than one long session. Focus on accuracy first, then gradually increase speed. Do not look at the keyboard while typing. Use typing practice sites daily. Start with common words and phrases before moving to complex text. Aim to reduce your error rate below 5% before pushing for higher WPM.
Can I take the typing speed test on my phone?
The typing speed test works on mobile devices, but results will differ significantly from desktop typing because you are using a touchscreen keyboard instead of a physical one. Average speeds on mobile are 30-40 WPM using thumbs. For the most accurate measure of your typing ability, use a physical keyboard on a desktop or laptop computer.
How is typing accuracy measured in this test?
Accuracy is calculated as the percentage of correctly typed characters out of total characters attempted. For example, if you type 200 characters and 190 are correct, your accuracy is 95%. Each character is checked in real time against the displayed text. Errors are counted when the character you type does not match the expected character at that position. High accuracy (above 95%) is generally more important than raw speed for productive typing.
Typing proficiency tests date back to the age of mechanical typewriters, when certification exams determined whether office workers could keep up with workplace demands. The metric that stuck was words per minute (WPM), calculated by dividing total characters typed by five and then by elapsed minutes. Today the average typist clocks in around 40 WPM, while seasoned professionals sit comfortably between 65 and 75 WPM. Competitive speed typists on platforms like TypeRacer regularly exceed 150 WPM. The secret behind fast, accurate typing is touch typing, a method where each finger is assigned specific keys and the typist never looks down at the keyboard. PlayBrain's test lets you choose from 15-second, 30-second, 60-second, and 120-second durations, tracks both WPM and accuracy in real time, and saves your personal bests so you can chart your improvement over weeks and months.
How to Play
Select a test duration (15s, 30s, 60s, or 120s) and click start. A passage of text will appear on screen.
Type the displayed words as quickly and accurately as you can. Correct characters highlight green, errors highlight red.
When the timer runs out, your words per minute, accuracy percentage, and total characters are calculated automatically.
Review your results, compare against your personal best, and practice daily to build speed and muscle memory.