What Is the Average Typing Speed?
The average typing speed is about 40 words per minute for adults typing without formal training. People who type for a living average 50–80 WPM, and the fastest exceed 100. Curious where you land? Take a 1-minute test and compare.
Average typing speed by group
| Group | Typical WPM |
|---|---|
| Child (around age 10) | 15–20 WPM |
| Teenager | 30–45 WPM |
| Average adult | ~40 WPM |
| Office / admin professional | 50–65 WPM |
| Programmer / writer | 60–80 WPM |
| Transcriptionist | 75–100+ WPM |
Speed depends far more on touch-typing technique and practice than on age. A trained 12-year-old often out-types an adult who hunts and pecks.
Is your typing speed good?
Whatever your number, accuracy matters as much as speed — a clean 55 WPM beats a sloppy 70. For what jobs actually require, see typing speed by job.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average typing speed? About 40 WPM for adults; 50–80 WPM for people who type all day; 100+ for the fastest.
Is 40 WPM good? It's right at the average and usable for everyday work; it meets many office job minimums.
Is 60 WPM fast? Yes — well above average, and fast enough that typing stops being a bottleneck.
Does age matter? Less than you'd think — technique and practice decide speed, not age.