Average Typing Speed (WPM)
The largest typing study ever run (168,000 people / 136 million keystrokes (Dhakal et al., Aalto University, CHI 2018)) found a mean of 52 WPM; broader typing-test audiences average ~41 WPM. Professional roles expect 55–90 WPM.
The average typing speed is roughly 40–52 WPM: 51.6 WPM in the 136M-keystroke Aalto study, ~41.4 WPM on general typing tests. 60+ is fast; 120+ is elite.
- Aalto study mean (n=168,000)51.6 WPM
- Typing-test average~41.4 WPM
- Hunt-and-peck average~27 WPM
- Professional range55–90 WPM
- Elite120+ WPM
Sources: Dhakal et al., CHI 2018; Ratatype; Typing.com benchmarks.
Typing speed benchmarks
| Level | WPM |
|---|---|
| Hunt-and-peck typists | ~27 |
| General typing-test average | ~41.4 (accuracy ~92%) |
| Large-study mean (Aalto, 168k people) | 51.6 (SD 20.2) |
| Touch typists | 50+ |
| Professional (word processing, PA roles) | 55–90 |
| Elite / competitive | 120+ |
Men self-report slightly faster than women on test platforms (44 vs 37 WPM); the Aalto sample skews young, which raises its mean.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed?
40 WPM is functional, 60+ is good for professional work, 80+ is fast, and 120+ approaches competitive levels. Accuracy matters as much as speed — errors cost more time than slow keystrokes.
What's the average typing speed?
About 41.4 WPM across general typing-test users; 51.6 WPM in the 136-million-keystroke Aalto University study (which skews younger).
How fast do professionals type?
Job standards typically run 55–90 WPM for word-processing roles and 60+ for assistant roles.
How do I get faster?
Touch typing (all ten fingers, eyes off keyboard) is the single biggest jump — hunt-and-peck plateaus around 27 WPM while touch typists average 50+. Rollover typing (pressing the next key before releasing the last) separates the fastest group.
Sources & methodology
Sources: Dhakal et al. — Observations on Typing from 136 Million Keystrokes · Ratatype average typing speed (Dec 2025) · Typing.com speed benchmarks.
The Aalto/Cambridge study is the largest published dataset on real typing behavior; test-platform averages describe self-selected users.