What counts as average?
A figure of around 40 words per minute is commonly quoted as an average for adults who type regularly. People who learned to touch-type, or who type all day for work, are usually well above that; people who look at the keyboard while typing are usually below it.
Rather than chasing one number, compare yourself with yourself: take the same test once a day and watch your own average move.
Speed bands, roughly
Under 30 WPM — still hunting for keys; touch-typing practice helps most here. 30–50 — comfortable everyday typing. 50–80 — fast; most of your thinking time goes to what you write, not the keys. 80+ — very fast, usually from years of practice.
How is WPM worked out?
Words per minute counts every five correctly typed characters (spaces included) as one word, then scales that to a minute. It's the same convention most typing tests use, so your score compares fairly with them.
Accuracy is the share of words you typed exactly right. Mistyped words don't count toward your WPM, so slowing down slightly to stay accurate usually raises your score.
How to get faster
Keep your fingers on the home row (ASDF and JKL;) and let each finger own its keys. Look at the screen, not the keyboard. Aim for a steady rhythm rather than bursts — consistency beats speed spikes.
Short daily practice works better than one long session. typeflow's practice mode maps which keys slow you down and builds drills from exactly those letters.
Questions
Does accuracy affect my typing speed?
Yes. Only correctly typed words count toward WPM, so mistakes lower your speed score directly.
Is this typing test free?
Yes. You can take as many tests as you like without signing up. A free account saves your results, tracks your progress and lets you race friends.
Do I need to install anything?
No — it runs in your browser on any computer with a keyboard.