What Is a Good Typing Speed?

Wondering what qualifies as a good typing speed? You're not alone. Many people wonder how fast they should be able to type—whether measured in keystrokes per minute (KPM) or words per minute (WPM).
In this article, we’ll explain what a good typing speed looks like and how you can improve your own typing performance.

What Does “Keystrokes Per Minute” Actually Mean?

Keystrokes per minute (KPM) tells you how many keys you press, on average, each minute while typing. This includes all letters, punctuation, and spaces.
Another common metric is words per minute (WPM), where one word is typically counted as five keystrokes.

How do you know if you type fast enough?

Typing speed standards vary by age. Below is an overview of what’s considered typical in each category, including both keystrokes per minute (KPM) and words per minute (WPM).

⚠️ Important: Typing well isn’t just about speed—accuracy matters just as much!

What Is a Good Typing Accuracy?

In general, 95% or higher is considered good typing accuracy—that’s a maximum of 5 errors per 100 keystrokes.
For beginners or younger children, 80–90% is a great starting point, as long as the focus is on progress and correct form.
It’s better to type slowly and accurately—speed will come naturally with time.

How to Improve Your Typing Speed (3 Practical Tips)

Whether you're just starting out or already have some experience, there’s always room to improve your typing speed. Here are three tips that really work:

1. Practice Regularly (But Keep It Short)

You don’t need to train for hours. Just 10 to 30 minutes a day is enough to build up speed and confidence over time.

2. Focus on Accuracy First

Typing fast is great—but typing accurately is more important, especially in the beginning.
Kids who start slowly but carefully tend to make faster progress than those who rush and develop bad habits.

👨‍👩‍👧 Tip for parents: Encourage your child to go slow and aim for precision. Speed will come once the basics are solid.

3. Learn the Right Technique

Many people still “hunt and peck” with two fingers—but that holds back real progress.
At TypeOlymp, we teach the proper technique from the start. That means fingers on the correct keys, no looking at the keyboard and a steady, rhythmic typing. This builds a skill you’ll use for life.

How Can I Measure My Typing Speed?

You can easily check your typing speed with our free online typing test!
You’ll have 60 seconds to type as many words as you can.
Once you finish, you’ll instantly see your typing speed (in WPM and KPM) and accuracy rate.

Conclusion

A good typing speed depends on your age, but typically falls between 100 and 300 keystrokes per minute. Even more important is your accuracy—aim for at least 95%.

By practicing consistently, focusing first on accuracy, and using the correct technique, you'll quickly see improvements in both speed and confidence.

Want to know where you stand right now? Then take our free typing test and find out your score in APM and WPM!

Want to improve your typing speed or get a typing certificate? At TypeOlymp, we would love to help you achieve this. Click here for more information about our online typing course or sign up directly via our sign-up page.