CPM (Characters Per Minute)
Definition
CPM stands for Characters Per Minute — the raw count of individual characters (letters, numbers, spaces, and symbols) typed per minute. CPM is directly related to WPM by a factor of 5: 60 WPM = 300 CPM.
Why It Matters
CPM is sometimes used for data entry roles where exact character volume matters more than word count. It is a more granular measure than WPM, useful when comparing performance on texts with unusual word length distributions.
Example
If your WPM is 50, your CPM is approximately 250 (50 × 5 = 250).
Related Terms
Put it into practice
Now you understand CPM (Characters Per Minute) — take a typing speed test to see where you actually stand.