Average Typing Speed by Age and Profession (2026)

FreeTyper Team··6 min read

What Is the Average Typing Speed?

The average typing speed for adults is approximately 40 WPM (words per minute) on a standard keyboard. However, this number varies significantly depending on age, profession, training, and how regularly someone types.

Typing Speed by Age Group

Typing speed generally increases through teenage years and peaks in the 25-45 age range. Here are typical ranges observed in studies and typing platforms:

  • Children (8-11): 10-20 WPM
  • Teens (12-17): 20-40 WPM
  • Young Adults (18-24): 35-55 WPM
  • Adults (25-45): 40-60 WPM
  • Older Adults (46-65): 30-50 WPM
  • Seniors (65+): 20-40 WPM

Note that these are ranges, not limits. With training, people of any age can exceed these averages.

Typing Speed by Profession

Different jobs require different typing skills. Here is how speeds typically break down:

  • General office workers: 35-50 WPM
  • Writers and journalists: 50-80 WPM
  • Software developers: 50-80 WPM (code) / 60-90 WPM (prose)
  • Data entry clerks: 60-80 WPM
  • Court reporters: 180-225 WPM (stenography)
  • Professional typists: 70-100+ WPM

What Is a Good Typing Speed?

Context matters when evaluating your typing speed. Here is a general benchmark:

  • Below 30 WPM: Beginner — focus on learning proper technique
  • 30-50 WPM: Average — functional for most tasks
  • 50-70 WPM: Above average — efficient for professional work
  • 70-90 WPM: Fast — significantly above average
  • 90-120 WPM: Very fast — competitive level
  • 120+ WPM: Exceptional — top tier typists

How to Measure Your Speed

WPM is calculated using the standard formula: (total characters typed / 5) / elapsed minutes. The division by 5 normalizes for the average English word length. A good typing test should measure both speed and accuracy, as speed without accuracy is not useful.

Take a timed test of at least 1 minute for a reliable measurement. Shorter tests can be skewed by a single mistake or a lucky streak of easy words.

Improving Your Speed

No matter where you are on the scale, improvement is always possible. The most effective approach combines proper touch typing technique with regular, focused practice. Start with our typing lessons to learn the fundamentals, then use practice drills and speed tests to build fluency.

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