Why use this calculator
Knowing your typing speed helps track improvement, prepare for typing tests, and meet job requirements. WPM is the standard measure used by employers and certification programs.
How to use it
Enter the total number of characters you typed, the time taken in minutes, and the number of errors made. The calculator provides gross WPM, adjusted WPM accounting for errors, and your accuracy percentage.
The formula
Gross WPM = (Characters / 5) / Minutes; Adjusted WPM = Gross WPM - (Errors / Minutes); Accuracy = ((Characters - Errors) / Characters) x 100
Worked examples
1500 characters in 5 minutes with 10 errors
60 gross WPM, 58 adjusted WPM, 99.3% accuracy
750 characters in 3 minutes with 5 errors
50 gross WPM, 48.3 adjusted WPM, 99.3% accuracy
When people use it
- Preparing for employment typing tests
- Tracking typing improvement over time
- Setting goals for typing practice sessions
- Comparing speed across different keyboard layouts
Tips
- A standard 'word' in typing tests is defined as 5 characters including spaces.
- Focus on accuracy first; speed naturally improves with practice.
- The average typing speed for adults is around 40 WPM.
- Professional typists typically achieve 65-75 WPM or higher.
Questions people ask
- What is a good typing speed?
- 40 WPM is average for casual typists. 60-70 WPM is proficient for office work. 80+ WPM is considered professional level.
- What is the difference between gross and adjusted WPM?
- Gross WPM counts all characters typed. Adjusted WPM subtracts a penalty for errors, giving a more accurate measure of effective typing speed.
- How is a 'word' defined in WPM?
- A standard word is defined as 5 characters (including spaces and punctuation). This standardization allows fair comparison across different texts.