WPM

WPM, short for words per minute, is a measurement used to express typing speed or transcription speed. It indicates how many words a person can input or process in one minute and is commonly used in typing tests, data entry, and transcription work.

In typing, a standard word is defined as five characters, including spaces and punctuation. Gross WPM is calculated by dividing the total number of characters typed by five and then dividing by the time in minutes. Net WPM accounts for errors and is typically calculated as (characters typed minus incorrect characters) divided by five and then divided by minutes. Many tests report both gross and net WPM, along with accuracy.

WPM is usually measured with timed tests that present a passage to type over a fixed period, commonly one to five minutes. Test conditions vary, so WPM scores can differ across platforms. Some tests also provide an accuracy percentage to accompany the speed.

Typical ranges vary by experience and context. The average adult typist often rates around 40 WPM. Intermediate typists may range from 50 to 60 WPM, while proficient typists commonly exceed 60 WPM and may reach 80 WPM or more. Highly skilled typists, such as certain data entry professionals, can surpass 100 WPM. The fastest individuals have been recorded at over 150 WPM under favorable conditions.

Factors that influence WPM include practice, familiarity with keyboard layout, touch-typing ability, language and vocabulary, device, and fatigue. While WPM provides a simple speed metric, it does not fully capture overall productivity, comprehension, or error-handling ability. It remains a useful benchmark in education, hiring, and skills development for typing-related tasks.