WPM Benchmarks
These are general ranges based on commonly observed averages. Individual variation is high.
- Under 30 WPM: Below average. Hunt-and-peck territory for most adults.
- 30–50 WPM: Average for most adult computer users.
- 50–70 WPM: Above average. Comfortable working speed for most desk jobs.
- 70–90 WPM: Fast. Top-tier everyday typist. Faster than most colleagues.
- 90–120 WPM: Excellent. Professional quality speed.
- 120+ WPM: Expert. Stenographers, competitive typists, and outliers.
By Profession
- General office work: 40–55 WPM considered adequate; 65+ preferred
- Administrative assistant: 60–80 WPM typical requirement
- Data entry: 60–80 WPM with 98%+ accuracy
- Court reporter / stenographer: 225 WPM minimum on specialized hardware
- Programmer: 50–70 WPM typical; code typing differs from prose typing
- Writer / journalist: 60–80 WPM for comfortable prose flow
Accuracy Matters More Than Speed
A typist at 70 WPM with 99% accuracy is more productive than a typist at 90 WPM with 90% accuracy. When evaluating your own performance, always look at net WPM (which subtracts errors) rather than gross WPM. Our WPM calculator shows both.
How to Find Your Speed
The most reliable way is a standardized timed test. Take a free test at TypingTest.now to get your current WPM and accuracy. From there, use our goal calculator to chart a realistic path to your target speed.