Average Typing Speed: WPM by Age and Profession
Typing speed is measured in words per minute (WPM), where one “word” equals five keystrokes. Understanding average WPM benchmarks helps you gauge your skill level, set realistic goals, and track improvement over time.
Average WPM by User Type
Typing speed varies widely based on experience, technique, and profession. The table below shows typical WPM ranges for different user types.
| User Type | Average WPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| General population | ~40 WPM | Hunt-and-peck typing, untrained |
| Touch typist (average) | ~52 WPM | Dhakal et al., 2018 (37,000 participants) |
| Office worker | 50–60 WPM | Daily keyboard use, mixed technique |
| Professional writer | 60–80 WPM | Journalists, content creators, authors |
| Transcriptionist | 75–100 WPM | Professional requirement, trained technique |
| Competitive typist | 120–150+ WPM | Speed typing competitions, top percentile |
Average WPM by Age
Typing speed follows a predictable pattern across age groups. Speed increases through childhood, peaks in early adulthood, and gradually declines with age. These figures reflect general population averages and vary based on individual practice and exposure.
| Age Group | Average WPM | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Children (8–12) | 20–30 WPM | Developing motor skills, learning keyboard layout |
| Teenagers (13–17) | 35–45 WPM | Regular computer use, some formal training |
| Young adults (18–34) | 45–55 WPM | Peak speed range, most keyboard exposure |
| Adults (35–54) | 40–50 WPM | Maintained by daily use, slight decline |
| Older adults (55+) | 35–45 WPM | Gradual motor speed decline, varies widely |
What Affects Typing Speed
Practice and Frequency
Consistent daily typing builds muscle memory and reduces the time spent looking for keys. Even 15 minutes of focused practice per day can produce noticeable improvement within a few weeks.
Touch Typing vs. Hunt-and-Peck
Touch typists use all ten fingers and type without looking at the keyboard. Research shows touch typists average around 52 WPM, while hunt-and-peck typists average closer to 35–40 WPM. The technique difference is the single largest factor in typing speed.
Keyboard Type
Mechanical keyboards with consistent key travel tend to support faster typing than mushy membrane keyboards. Key switch type (linear, tactile, or clicky), actuation force, and keyboard layout all play smaller but measurable roles.
Accuracy vs. Speed
Typing fast with many errors is slower in practice than typing moderately fast with high accuracy. Error correction (backspacing) costs time. Focus on accuracy first, and speed will follow naturally.
Find out where you stand.
Test Your Typing SpeedFrequently Asked Questions
What is a good typing speed?
A good typing speed depends on your context. For most office work, 50–60 WPM with high accuracy is sufficient. For professional roles that involve heavy typing (transcription, data entry, programming), 70–90 WPM is considered strong. Competitive typists often exceed 120 WPM.
How long does it take to learn touch typing?
Most people can learn the basics of touch typing in 2–4 weeks of daily practice (15–30 minutes per day). Reaching a comfortable speed of 40–50 WPM typically takes 1–3 months. Building speed beyond 60 WPM requires consistent practice over several months.
Does keyboard type affect typing speed?
Yes. Mechanical keyboards with tactile or linear switches are preferred by fast typists because they provide consistent feedback and shorter actuation distances. However, the biggest factor is technique, not equipment. Touch typists are faster than hunt-and-peck typists on any keyboard.
Sources
- Dhakal, V., Feit, A. M., Kristensson, P. O., & Oulasvirta, A. (2018). “Observations on Typing from 136 Million Keystrokes.” Proceedings of the 2018 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. Study of 37,000 participants found average typing speed of 52 WPM.
- Age-based WPM ranges based on educational research and typing proficiency studies.