Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?
A 40 WPM typing speed falls into the Below Average band — slower than the majority of test-takers. Do not over-read a single score: fatigue, distraction, and a cold start can each shift this kind of result by a wide margin. 40 WPM is one of the round-number search references queried about typing speed scores. Against the standard benchmarks, your 40 WPM score is 50 WPM past the Elite cutoff (90 WPM), 30 WPM past the Fast cutoff (70 WPM), and 5 WPM past the Average cutoff (45 WPM). The neighboring indexed buckets are 30 WPM (Below Average) and 45 WPM (Average). Take the Typing Speed Test to see how your live performance compares.
Where 40 WPM falls
- Your score
- 40 WPM
- Tier
- Below Average
- Elite threshold
- 90 WPM
- Fast threshold
- 70 WPM
- Average threshold
- 45 WPM
- Estimated percentile
- 25%
Nearby scores
Frequently asked questions
Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?
40 WPM sits in the Below Average band. The Average reference is 45 WPM and the Fast reference is 70 WPM, so you have clear room to improve with practice.
How does 40 WPM compare to the average?
The Average threshold on the Typing Speed Test is 45 WPM. Your 40 WPM is in the Below Average band relative to that. Elite performers cross 90 WPM; Fast performers cross 70 WPM.
How can someone improve from 40 WPM?
Consistent practice — same environment, same time of day, same input device — is the biggest lever. Take the Typing Speed Test a few times per week, sleep well, and watch how your score drifts toward the Fast (70 WPM) and Elite (90 WPM) thresholds over a few weeks.