Typing Hero App typingheroapp.com
What Is a Good Typing Speed? WPM Benchmarks for Every Goal

What Is a Good Typing Speed? WPM Benchmarks for Every Goal

· 3 min read · by Robin Érsek-Obádovics

What is a good typing speed? Depends entirely on your goal. 40 WPM is average adult. 60 WPM is office-ready. 80 WPM is professional. 100 WPM is elite. Here are the benchmarks for every career and use case so you can set realistic targets.

The benchmark scale

Below 30 WPM

  • Status: Below average
  • Indicates: Hunt-and-peck, possibly novice
  • Workable for: Casual personal use only
  • Goal: Learn touch typing, push past 40

30-40 WPM

  • Status: Beginner touch typist
  • Indicates: Recently learned 10-finger method
  • Workable for: Light email, social media
  • Goal: Build to 60 WPM in 2-3 months

40-50 WPM (average adult)

  • Status: Average
  • Indicates: Years of typing, no formal training
  • Workable for: General office work (slowly)
  • Goal: 60+ for career advantage
  • See Is 40 WPM a good typing speed

50-60 WPM

  • Status: Above average
  • Indicates: Some touch typing training
  • Workable for: Most office jobs
  • Goal: 70-80 for typing-heavy careers

60-80 WPM (good touch typist)

  • Status: Solidly skilled
  • Indicates: Trained touch typist
  • Workable for: Most careers comfortably
  • Goal: 80+ for content creation
  • See Is 60 WPM a good typing speed

80-100 WPM (professional)

  • Status: Fast
  • Indicates: Skilled with years of practice
  • Workable for: Writing, journalism, programming
  • Goal: 100+ if competitive interest
  • See Is 80 WPM a fast typing speed

100-120 WPM (elite)

  • Status: Top 5%
  • Indicates: Dedicated practice + talent
  • Workable for: Anything
  • Goal: 120+ for competitive

120+ WPM (world-class)

Benchmarks by goal

Hobby/casual typist

  • Acceptable: 30+ WPM
  • Good: 50+ WPM
  • Excellent: 70+ WPM

Office worker

  • Acceptable: 40-50 WPM
  • Good: 60-70 WPM
  • Excellent: 80+ WPM

Programmer

  • Acceptable: 50 WPM
  • Good: 70 WPM
  • Excellent: 90+ WPM

Writer/Journalist

  • Acceptable: 60 WPM
  • Good: 80 WPM
  • Excellent: 100+ WPM

Data entry

  • Acceptable: 70 WPM (8000+ KPH)
  • Good: 90 WPM (10800 KPH)
  • Excellent: 110+ WPM (13000+ KPH)

Customer support

  • Acceptable: 55 WPM
  • Good: 75 WPM
  • Excellent: 90+ WPM

Court reporter (stenotype, different category)

  • Required: 225 WPM (NCRA RPR)
  • Senior: 280+ WPM
  • Top: 300+ WPM

Benchmarks by age

Children 8-10

  • Average: 20-30 WPM
  • Good: 40 WPM
  • Excellent: 50+ WPM

Teens 13-18

  • Average: 35-50 WPM
  • Good: 60 WPM
  • Excellent: 80+ WPM

Adults 25-45

  • Average: 40-50 WPM
  • Good: 60-80 WPM
  • Excellent: 100+ WPM

Adults 60+

Accuracy alongside WPM

Speed without accuracy = false speed. Net WPM = (chars - errors × 5) / 5 / minutes.

Aim for:

  • 95%+ accuracy for good touch typing
  • 97%+ accuracy for professional level
  • 99%+ accuracy for premium roles

See How accurate should my typing be.

Burst vs sustained speed

Burst (short tests, 10-30 sec)

  • Higher numbers
  • What most tests measure
  • "Personal best" usually burst

Sustained (5+ minutes)

  • Real-world relevant
  • Lower than burst (typically 20-30%)
  • Better predictor of work performance

For honest assessment: 5+ minute tests.

See Burst vs sustained speed.

How to know YOUR good speed

Step 1: Test honestly

  • Monkeytype, 10fastfingers, Keybr
  • 5-minute sustained test
  • Take 3-5 attempts, average

Step 2: Identify your goal

  • Career path
  • Daily typing volume
  • Personal ambition

Step 3: Compare to benchmarks above

  • Are you at career-required level?
  • Room to grow?
  • Worth improving?

Step 4: Plan improvement

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 50 WPM impressive?

Slightly above average. Not impressive — 80+ is impressive.

Will my career stall at 40 WPM?

In typing-heavy roles: yes. In hands-on roles: probably not.

Can I reach 100 WPM?

Most adults: yes, with months of dedicated practice.

What's most important: WPM or accuracy?

Accuracy first (95%+), then speed.

Best test for honest WPM?

Monkeytype 5-minute sustained test.

How to improve from current level?

Typing Hero App + daily practice + accuracy focus.

Set your speed target

Identify your goal, test current speed, plan improvement. Typing Hero App — free, no signup.

For more: Average typing speed, WPM benchmarks, How to type faster.