Typing Speed Calculator (WPM)
Calculate your typing speed in WPM, CPM, and KPH.
Find your gross WPM, net WPM, accuracy percentage, and skill level.
Compare to professional typists.
Typing Speed Formulas
Typing speed is measured in several ways, each useful for different purposes. All measurements require knowing the amount of text typed, the errors made, and the time taken.
Gross WPM (Words Per Minute) Gross WPM = (Characters Typed ÷ 5) ÷ Minutes Elapsed
The “5 characters = 1 word” standard was established because the average English word (including the space that follows it) is approximately 5 characters long. This makes comparisons consistent regardless of what text was typed.
Net WPM (Accuracy-Adjusted) Net WPM = Gross WPM − (Errors ÷ Minutes)
Net WPM penalizes for mistakes. A typist who makes many errors may have a high gross WPM but a much lower net WPM. Most official typing tests report net WPM.
Accuracy Percentage Accuracy = ((Total Words − Errors) ÷ Total Words) × 100%
Or using characters: Accuracy = (1 − (Errors × 5) ÷ Characters) × 100%
CPM — Characters Per Minute CPM = Characters Typed ÷ Minutes
CPM is common in European countries and is simply the raw character throughput without dividing by 5.
KPH — Keystrokes Per Hour KPH = CPM × 60
KPH is widely used in data entry and administrative roles. Many job postings specify minimum KPH requirements (commonly 8,000–12,000 KPH for data entry positions).
Speed Benchmarks The average computer user types at 40–60 WPM. Professional typists typically reach 65–90 WPM. Competitive typists and court reporters can exceed 200 WPM. The world record for typing speed is around 360 WPM (over short bursts).