4 min read
2026-03-09
Many employers require a typing speed of 40-60 WPM. Secretaries, call center operators, and journalists take typing tests during hiring.
Fast typing allows taking lecture notes in real time. With an average lecturer speaking speed of 120-150 words/min, a typing speed of at least 40 WPM is needed.
Although typing speed is not a developer's main skill, faster code entry reduces cognitive load and lets you focus on logic.
Professional authors type at 60-80 WPM. This allows capturing thoughts faster than they slip away.
Even if you do not type all day, doubling your typing speed saves dozens of hours per year.
| Profession | Minimum WPM | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Secretary | 50 | 70+ |
| Programmer | 30 | 50+ |
| Journalist | 60 | 80+ |
| Student | 30 | 45+ |
| Data entry operator | 60 | 80+ |
The average typing speed worldwide is 40 WPM. The world record is over 200 WPM.
Find out your result with the Typing Speed Test.
See also: Reading Time, To-Do List
Typing speed test and practice: text, code, numbers. Problem key analysis
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