How to Improve Typing Speed — From 30 to 70+ WPM
Typing speed is one of the highest-leverage skills in modern knowledge work. If you type at 30 WPM and improve to 70 WPM, you have more than doubled the speed at which you can translate thoughts into text. For students writing assignments, professionals writing emails, and developers writing code, this translates directly into hours saved every week.
This guide explains the specific techniques that work, the ones that do not, and a simple daily routine you can follow using a free online typing test.
What Is a Good Typing Speed?
Benchmarks vary by context, but as a rough guide:
| WPM | Level | Typical Context |
|---|---|---|
| Under 20 | Beginner | Hunt-and-peck typing |
| 20–40 | Average | Casual computer users |
| 40–60 | Above average | Most office work |
| 60–80 | Professional | Writers, developers, admin |
| 80–100 | Fast | Transcriptionists, power users |
| 100+ | Exceptional | Competitive typists |
Test your current speed using our free Typing Speed Test before reading further, so you have a baseline.
The One Change That Matters Most
If you do only one thing after reading this guide, do this: learn to touch type.
Touch typing means typing without looking at the keyboard, using all ten fingers, with each finger assigned to a specific set of keys. This is the single biggest lever on typing speed. If you are looking at the keyboard, your speed is capped at roughly 30–40 WPM no matter how much you practise, because your eyes cannot move between the screen and the keyboard fast enough.
Home Row Position
Place your left fingers on A, S, D, F and your right fingers on J, K, L, ;. Your thumbs rest on the space bar. This is the home row. Every key on the keyboard is reached from this position by moving one finger, then returning to home row.
The F and J keys usually have a small raised bump, which lets you find home row by touch without looking.
Daily Practice Routine
Ten minutes a day is enough. The routine is:
- 2 minutes warm-up. Type slowly, focusing on accuracy, using the home row.
- 5 minutes at working speed. Use a WPM test to type at your normal pace.
- 3 minutes pushing pace. Try to type slightly faster than comfortable, accepting small accuracy drops.
- Stop. Do not practise for hours — short, consistent sessions beat occasional long ones.
Accuracy First, Speed Second
Most people try to type faster and end up making mistakes. This is backwards. Speed follows accuracy. When you can type without errors at 40 WPM, you can gradually push to 50, then 60, then 70. When you push speed first, you build habits around fixing errors, which caps your ceiling.
Aim to keep accuracy above 95% at all times. If it drops below 90%, slow down.
Common Mistakes
- Looking at the keyboard. The biggest cap on typing speed. Force yourself to look at the screen, even if it slows you down initially.
- Using two fingers. Two-finger typing caps out quickly. Use all ten.
- Tensing your hands. Tension slows you down and causes errors. Relax your shoulders and wrists.
- Skipping practice days. Consistency matters more than session length.
- Practising on the same text. Vary the text so you are not memorising instead of typing.
- Ignoring punctuation. Real typing involves commas, full stops, capital letters. Practise with them.
How Long Does It Take?
Realistic timelines for a beginner who practises 10 minutes daily:
- Week 1–2: Learning home row. Speed may drop as you unlearn old habits.
- Week 3–4: Home row becomes natural. Speed returns to baseline, then starts climbing.
- Week 5–8: Speed climbs steadily. Most people go from 30 to 50+ WPM in this window.
- Week 9–16: 60–70 WPM is achievable with continued daily practice.
- Month 6+: 80+ WPM is realistic for someone who practises consistently.
Free Tool to Practise With
NeelWin's Typing Speed Test shows live WPM and accuracy as you type. It requires no signup, no download, and no payment. Use it for the 5-minute middle section of your daily routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I improve typing speed without touch typing?
You can improve somewhat, but you will hit a ceiling around 30–40 WPM. Touch typing is what unlocks higher speeds.
How long does it take to learn touch typing?
Basic touch typing takes 2–3 weeks of daily practice. Fluency takes 2–3 months.
Is a mechanical keyboard necessary?
No. Any standard keyboard works. A mechanical keyboard can be more pleasant but is not required for speed.
What is the fastest typing speed ever recorded?
Competitive typists have exceeded 200 WPM for short bursts. For everyday typing, 100+ WPM is considered exceptional.
Can I practise on my phone?
Yes, but touch-screen keyboards have different mechanics. For real typing speed improvement, practise on a physical keyboard.
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