Average Typing Speed
A plain reference for typical typing speeds: what the average is, and where students, office workers, developers and professionals usually land.
The average typing speed for an adult is about 40 words per minute. That figure comes up again and again across studies of everyday keyboard users, and it is a useful benchmark: if you type faster than 40 WPM you are already quicker than most people, and if you are below it there is plenty of easy room to grow.
Speed alone does not tell the whole story though, because a 40 WPM typist with near perfect accuracy often out produces a sloppy 60 WPM typist who is forever backspacing.
Typing speed varies a lot by how much someone types and why. Below is a practical reference for where different groups tend to land, so you can see how your own score compares and set a realistic next target.
Typical speeds by group
Beginners and occasional typers usually sit between 20 and 35 WPM, often hunting for keys rather than touch typing. Students and general adults cluster around the 35 to 45 WPM average. Office workers who spend the day at a keyboard commonly reach 50 to 70 WPM as the movements become second nature. Developers and writers, who both type a great deal, frequently land in the 60 to 90 WPM range. Transcriptionists, data entry specialists and competitive typists push furthest, often 80 to 120 WPM or beyond.
Age and practice matter more than talent. Children learning to type may start in the 10 to 25 WPM range and climb steadily with practice. The single biggest divider is not who you are but whether you touch type: people who type without looking almost always outpace those who hunt and peck, regardless of profession.
Slow, average and fast, at a glance
As a quick scale: under 30 WPM is on the slower side and a clear opportunity to improve, 30 to 45 WPM is average, 45 to 60 WPM is above average, 60 to 80 WPM is fast, and anything above 80 WPM is genuinely quick. Across every band, accuracy above 95 percent is what separates a score you can rely on from one that looks good but falls apart in real work.
| Group | Typical WPM range |
|---|---|
| Beginners / occasional typists | 20 to 35 WPM |
| Students / general adults | 35 to 45 WPM |
| Office workers | 50 to 70 WPM |
| Developers / writers | 60 to 90 WPM |
| Transcriptionists / data entry / competitive typists | 80 to 120+ WPM |
These are general reference ranges compiled from common typing test and typing tutorial benchmarks, not a single formal study.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average typing speed?
About 40 words per minute for an adult. If you type faster than that you are already ahead of most people, and if you are below it there is easy room to improve with a little regular practice.
What is a fast typing speed?
Around 60 to 80 WPM is fast and comfortably above average. Above 80 WPM is genuinely quick, and the professional and competitive range stretches to 100 WPM and beyond.
Does typing speed depend on your job?
Largely, yes. People who type all day, such as office workers, developers and transcriptionists, tend to be fastest simply through practice. The biggest single factor is whether you touch type rather than look at the keys.