How to measure your typing speed and accuracy properly
2026-11-07
The difference between typing speed and WPM, why accuracy matters as much, and how to practise so the numbers mean something.
Typing speed (CPM) and WPM are not the same
CPM is the number of characters you type per minute. WPM (words per minute) counts words per minute, and in English a word is usually five characters. Because the two measures are counted differently, a typing test should show both the speed and the accuracy together.
Why accuracy matters as much as speed
Speed alone does not tell you much. If you type fast and ignore mistakes, you spend more time fixing text later, and the real output becomes slower. An accuracy of 95 percent or higher usually means your typing is stable. If the accuracy is lower, practise accuracy before you push for speed.
How to measure properly
1. Test in a quiet place, using the keyboard and layout you normally use.
2. Run the same passage at least three times and look at the average. The first run often includes warm-up mistakes.
3. Use a passage you already know rather than a brand-new one. Unfamiliar text slows you down while you read it.
4. Record both the speed and the accuracy from the result screen. A trend over several days matters more than one number.
Reading the results honestly
A speed above 1,200 characters per minute is treated as pasting rather than typing, and it is not saved as a personal best. Because of that limit, your practice history reflects what you actually typed.
A simple practice routine
- Spend ten minutes a day alternating between two passages of similar difficulty.
- Write down the letters you keep getting wrong, and practise those the next day.
- Once a week, type a longer text to see how your speed holds up over time.
Common mistakes when testing
- Keep your hands in their normal position during the test, even if you are used to looking at the keyboard.
- Testing while tired or distracted gives a lower result than your real skill.
- You can copy the result card and share it. Save it with the date if you want to track progress.