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Most people have no idea how their typing speed compares to the average. Whether you're curious, preparing for a role that requires fast typing, or just trying to beat your friends — this guide lays out the benchmarks clearly.
What is the average typing speed?
The average adult types around 40 WPM (words per minute). For context, that's roughly the speed needed to keep up with a casual conversation in writing. Most people who type regularly as part of their job land somewhere between 50 and 70 WPM.
Benchmarks by skill level
| Skill Level | WPM Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 10–30 WPM | Hunt-and-peck typists, new to keyboards |
| Average | 35–50 WPM | Most casual computer users |
| Proficient | 55–75 WPM | Regular office and knowledge workers |
| Fast | 80–100 WPM | Programmers, writers, heavy keyboard users |
| Expert | 100–130 WPM | Professional typists, fast programmers |
| Elite | 130+ WPM | Speed typists, competitive typists |
| World-class | 200+ WPM | Top 0.1% globally |
Average speed by age group
Typing speed generally increases through your teens and twenties as you spend more time on keyboards, then plateaus in adulthood. Here are rough averages:
| Age Group | Average WPM |
|---|---|
| Under 13 | 15–25 WPM |
| 14–18 (students) | 30–45 WPM |
| 19–30 | 40–60 WPM |
| 31–50 | 40–55 WPM |
| 50+ | 30–45 WPM |
Average speed by profession
Different roles have very different speed norms:
- Programmers: 70–100 WPM — accuracy matters more than pure speed
- Writers & journalists: 65–90 WPM
- Customer service reps: 50–70 WPM
- Transcriptionists: 75–100 WPM with very high accuracy
- Administrative assistants: 55–70 WPM
If you're aiming for 80–100 WPM, your keyboard matters. Tactile mechanical switches give you the physical cue that a keystroke has registered, which naturally reduces errors. The Keychron K2 is the most popular entry point. See our full keyboard guide →
What counts as "fast"?
Anything above 70 WPM puts you in the top half of typists globally. Above 100 WPM and you're in the top 10%. The world record for typing speed is over 250 WPM — achieved only by a handful of competitive typists.
Does accuracy matter as much as speed?
Absolutely. Net WPM penalises errors, so a typist who hits 90 WPM with 94% accuracy will score lower than one at 75 WPM with 99% accuracy. The most efficient typists aim for at least 97% accuracy regardless of speed.
Ready to test your speed? Try TalionType free — no signup, instant results.
How to find out your speed
The most reliable way is to take a standardised 60-second test. TalionType measures both Net WPM and Raw WPM, shows your accuracy and consistency, and lets you compare against your own history over time.