How to improve typing speed to 100 wpm?

Learning how to type faster offers substantial benefits, from saving time and boosting productivity to improving focus and unlocking career opportunities. The better you understand how different factors influence typing speed, the easier it is to improve your WPM (words per minute) speed. This guide offers tips on how to type faster and increase your WPM.

Typing speed is dictated by a combination of technique, muscle memory, and equipment. Use these quick tips to improve your words per minute now, or scroll down for more detailed recommendations and resources.

Faster typing speeds offer considerable advantages for professionals and casual keyboarders alike. Here are five benefits of learning how to type faster.

Increasing typing speed from 40 wpm to 80 wpm cuts work time in half. A 40-wpm typist takes around 25 minutes to type ten 100-word emails. An 80-wpm typist spends only 12.5 minutes on the same task. Saving just 12.5 minutes per day equates to more than 54 hours over a 260-day work year.

For someone who types 2,500 words per day, the annual time savings increases to 135 hours, or nearly 3.5 weeks. In other words, learning how to type faster can shave almost a month out of your work year (or produce a month’s worth of extra work over that span).

Many jobs require fast typing speeds, so candidates who can type fast are more attractive to employers in those sectors. Secretaries, transcriptionists, programmers, data entry specialists, journalists, writers, and legal assistants can access more career opportunities by learning how to type faster.

Faster typists can learn new aptitudes quicker because they’re able to focus on their studies without the distraction of hunting and pecking keys. For example, it’s easier for coders to learn a new programming language when they’re adept at navigating the keyboard. These benefits aren’t limited to learning career skills: gamers can master new games faster when they can type quickly.

Slow typing is disruptive, forcing typists to abandon their train of thought in favor of finding the next key. Improved keyboarding speed allows users to focus on their ideas, not what to type next. Fast typists are fluid; muscle memory takes over and words flow from their fingertips as easily as they roll off the tongue. When fast typing becomes second nature, users can focus on composing the perfect letter or fragging enemies into the shadow realm.

Faster typing reduces fatigue and injury risk in two ways. First, speed typing requires using proper form to lessen the strain on the fingers, hands, wrist joints, muscles, and tendons. Second, fast typists spend less time typing, so they don’t get tired, and they decrease the risk of developing overuse injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

The average typing speed is 40 wpm. Anything over 60 wpm is considered a good typing speed, though some professions demand 100 wpm or more. Members of the competitive typing community can eclipse 200 wpm, and Ultimate Typing Champion Anthony “Chark” Ermolin has recorded speeds up to 233 wpm.

That said, a “good” typing speed is relative. If you currently type 25 words per minute, 40 words per minute represents a significant improvement. If you already type 80 words per minute, then 100 wpm might be a logical next step.

Learn how to type faster and increase your WPM with these proven tips.

The first step toward improving typing speed is establishing how fast you currently type. There are many free typing speed tests online, but they don’t all work the same way. Some tests force you to correct mistakes before advancing; others simply count them against your WPM.

In addition, some tests use logical sentences (“the quick brown fox jumped over the lazy fox”), some use random words (“valley, coffee, mask, stenography”), and others use nonsensical character strings (“les, est, ense, tes”). The style of the test can affect your words per minute. Find a list of typing speed tests in the Resources section below.

Once you’ve established your current typing speed or baseline, set goals for improvement. It’s good to focus on incremental goals versus a final goal. For example, if you currently type 40 words per minute and set a goal of 100 wpm, start by working toward 50 wpm. Many find motivation in planning small rewards for reaching incremental milestones.

Proper hand placement increases typing speed by minimizing the distance fingers must travel with each keypress. Position fingers on the home row of a traditional QWERTY keyboard, as such:

Move fingers up and down from the home row to access other keys, use pinky fingers for the shift keys and thumbs for the spacebar. This hand position might seem foreign to those accustomed to two-finger pecking, but it enables significantly faster typing once mastered.

Note that some typists prefer alternative keyboard layouts such as Colemak and Dvorak, which are optimized for speed. However, these layouts might not be practical for those who are already used to QWERTY. Learn more about the differences between QWERTY, Dvorak, and Colemak keyboard layouts.

Proper desk ergonomics can enhance typing speed by increasing accuracy, emphasizing the use of the strongest muscles, and reducing fatigue. Ergonomics also decreases the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive use injuries.

Tips for good desk ergonomics include:

Learn more about desk ergonomics for improved posture and typing speed.

Keyboard familiarity is critical to fast typing, so learn where each key resides in relation to the home row and proper finger placement. Some people find it helpful to enable the on-screen keyboard so they can learn key positions without looking down at their keyboard.

How to enable the on-screen keyboard:

Windows PC

Mac Computer

Touch typing is the practice of knowing how to type without seeing the keyboard, and it’s one of the most effective ways to type faster. Touch typists can let their thoughts flow, unconstrained by the need to pause and hunt for the next key. Learning to touch type can increase your typing speed by as much as 300%.

Keyboard familiarity is the first step to touch typing; then, it comes down to muscle memory gained through repetition. Some people find it helpful to say the characters aloud as they type. Others place a towel over their hands so they can’t see the keyboard, and still, others install blank keycaps that force them to learn to touch type. Either way, it’s best to practice quick, light keystrokes that allow your fingertips to deftly flutter from one key to the next.

Focus on accuracy and speed will follow. Accuracy comes with repetition, which builds the muscle memory required to type at 100+ words per minute. It’s far better to type 50 words per minute with only one or two errors (96 to 98% accuracy) than to type 100 words per minute with 20 errors (80% accuracy).

Words per minute is calculated by subtracting mistakes from the total number of words typed. For example, if you type 80 words but have 10 errors, your WPM is 70. That underscores the need to focus on accuracy first: it’s impossible to significantly increase typing speed without it.

Practice scanning ahead to the next word while typing, a technique employed by the world’s fastest typists. Many can scan several words ahead and rely on muscle memory to type words they’ve already read.

In addition, competitive typists are skilled at rollovers: rapid firing on a sequence of keys in a fraction of a second. Rollovers are ideal for suffixes and other common key combinations, including “ing,” “tion,” “ness,” and “ment.” The technique takes practice but rewards the effort with substantial improvements in typing speed.

Keyboard shortcuts shave precious seconds and increase typing speed. They can also help bolster WPM speeds during typing tests.

For example, many people repeatedly hit the backspace key when they make a mistake during a typing test. However, it’s usually quicker to delete an entire word (CTRL + Backspace) instead of identifying where the error occurred and backspacing letter by letter.

Keyboard shortcuts that improve typing speed include:

Competitive typists rely on mechanical keyboards to achieve astonishing speeds of over 200 words per minute. That’s because mechanical keyboards are designed for performance, accuracy, and speed. They feature mechanical switches that require less pressure to engage, and they activate keys before bottoming out, allowing them to return quicker for rapid-fire typing.

Many mechanical keyboard switches offer a tactile bump or an audible click, feedback that lets typists know when keystrokes have registered so they can type with confidence. For example, the world-renowned line of Cherry MX switches includes Cherry MX Blue (a clicky switch), Cherry MX Brown (a tactile switch), and Cherry MX Red (a smooth, linear switch). The Cherry MX Speed Silver switch is designed with minimal travel distance for even greater responsiveness and speed.

In addition, most mechanical keyboards feature n-key rollover (NKRO), allowing typists to register multiple keystrokes in a fraction of a second without wasting time or energy. Mechanical keyboards also enable typists to choose their preferred keycap profiles, enhancing typing speed and accuracy.

Mechanical keyboards increase typing speed by:

Learn more about mechanical keyboards and how they work.

Practice makes perfect, so schedule daily sessions to work on becoming a faster typist. Many websites offer free typing exercises and fun typing games (see Resources below). If typing documents seems boring, consider typing along with a podcast, audible ebook, or YouTube video. Or, make it interesting by typing the next great American novel or your manifesto.

Consistency is critical, but it’s also vital to avoid burnout. Practicing for 20 minutes once or twice per day is better than practicing for two hours once a week. Commit to a regular schedule and retake your preferred typing speed test weekly to measure progress. If you’re not progressing as quickly as you’d like, consider taking an online typing course.

Take advantage of the following resources to improve typing speed.

• Test Your Current Typing Speed.
• Make your Goal Progress, not Perfection.
• Learn to Touch Type.
• Learn the Proper Typing Home Row Position.
• Practice Proper Posture.
• Don't Look at Your Keyboard.
• Practice Typing Regularly.
• Optimize Your Setup.

It’s easy to imagine all the benefits of faster typing, such as writing up memos and documents quicker, saving time in your work and personal life, making it easier to take notes during a meeting, and even having a marketable skill. Specific jobs, such as transcription and office work, may have, or expect, a certain typing speed from their employees, so increasing your typing speed can be a marketable skill set to help you get ahead in many ways.

Today, we’re discussing the top 11 tips for how to get better at typing on a keyboard.

If you don’t know your current typing speed, take a few minutes to take one of the many free typing tests online to learn about your wpm. We recommend Typing.com for free typing tests.

Jot this number down and see how it compares to the average typing speed of 40 wpm. From here, you can make a goal for your typing speed.

After you’ve learned your typing speed, set a goal to help you get better at typing.

It’s tempting to want to double or triple your typing speed quickly. However, it’s essential to focus on accuracy above all else before you work on improving your typing speed.

Typing speed will come with practice, but learning to type quickly will not save you time in the long run if your work is error-filled. If your accuracy is low, you’ll need to edit your work extensively, which ultimately won’t save you time or frustration.

Type slowly to avoid making mistakes. Most people don’t need to learn how to type over 100 wpm. For most, 60 to 80 wpm is an excellent typing goal that will help you finish your work faster.

Set your mindset first that accuracy is more important than typing speed and work to improve your typing speed and accuracy simultaneously so that your end results are accurate, fast typing skills.

Learning to touch type is the only way to improve your typing speed significantly.

Touch typing is a typing technique that involves not looking at your keyboard and limiting your overall finger motion by using all ten fingers to type. Instead of typing with only your index fingers, you should be using every finger and keeping your fingers close to the home row of your keyboard when you are touch typing.

Limiting your hand and finger movements will increase your wpm and reduce stress on your hands while you type. We recommend paying special attention to your little fingers and ring fingers as these fingers are frequently underused when typing, which can lead to unnecessary stress on your thumbs and index fingers and limited reach while you’re typing.

The middle of your keyboard is called the “home row” for touch typing because you should always start typing from these keys and continue to return to them as you type.

Start by learning the proper finger placement for touch typing by learning the home row of your keyboard. Rest your fingers in a curved position and place them on the ASDF and JKL keys in the middle row of your keyboard.

Most keyboards will also have a raised bump or line on the “F” and “J” keys, where your index fingers should rest, to help your fingers find your way back to these keys through touch, without looking. If your keyboard doesn’t have this feature, consider purchasing a keyboard or installing a keyboard bump on these keys to help you learn proper and quick typing.

Having proper sitting posture while typing is not only better for your wrists and body, but you’ll be able to reach faster typing speeds too.

Here are the most recommended tips for proper typing posture:

One of the keys to learning quick touch typing is not looking at your keyboard and keeping your eyes on the computer screen. We know it’s tempting to look at your fingers while you type, especially if you are just starting to learn touch typing, but this will significantly slow your typing down.

If you are trying to learn to type faster so that you can write based on notes or an email you have pulled up, you’ll also have to pause your typing to read your notes before going back to typing. This will significantly hinder your typing speed.

If you find yourself looking at your keyboard while typing, tape a piece of paper over your hands so you can’t look at the keyboard while you practice typing. You can also purchase blank keys or a keyboard cover so you can’t see the letters and numbers on your keyboard while practicing.

Remind yourself that you need to rely on your touch typing skills and abilities rather than looking at the keyboard. While it may be difficult to avoid looking at first, it will benefit your typing speed greatly in the long run.

If you’re new to typing or slow at it, it may feel uncomfortable at first. However, it’s crucial that you put in regular time to practice typing to improve your typing speed and accuracy.

Your fingers may feel stiff and awkward when typing at first, but before you know it, you’ll be typing away with ease without a second thought.

To practice typing regularly, we recommend the following practices:

If you are struggling to keep your back supported or feel uncomfortable while typing, this may be due to your current desk setup. Consider the following guidelines when choosing or adjusting your setup for optimal typing.

Start by making sure that your back is comfortably supported. Pick a chair that supports your back comfortably, preferably one with a curved backrest that will support your spine’s natural curve. If your lower back is hurting, consider adding a small cushion at the bottom of the chair’s backrest or choosing a chair with a cushion built in that area.

Avoid reclining back in your chair to take pressure off your back. While this may feel nice initially, it can strain your neck and shoulders. Try moving your chair closer to your desk to avoid this strain and reduce the temptation to lean back in your chair.

Consider a chair with adjustable armrests if you struggle to keep your elbows comfortably close to your sides while typing. Adjust the armrests so that you can rest your elbows and arms on the chair arms while you are typing for the best setup.

If you struggle with keeping your feet flat on the ground while typing, consider purchasing an ergonomic footrest to help you keep your feet in place for improved posture. Alternatively, you can adjust your chair’s seat so that your feet can comfortably reach the floor.

Avoid keyboards and keyboard trays with wrist trays. While it’s okay to lightly rest your wrists on the table or keyboard while typing, you should never rest your body’s weight on your wrists and lay them heavily on the keyboard wrist tray. Wrist trays are only made for temporary breaks between typing and should be avoided while you’re typing as they can lead to additional strain and discomfort.

Lastly, make sure that your keyboard is at the right level. Most people have their keyboard higher than they need to have it. Ideally, your keyboard should be just above lap level. This position allows you to keep your arms and elbows at a 90-degree angle, which is ideal for faster typing and reducing strain on your wrists and arms. If this isn’t possible with your current set-up, consider purchasing an adjustable keyboard and mouse tray that can be attached to your table or desk to adjust the keyboard to an optimal height. Otherwise, see if you can adjust the height of your chair so that your keyboard is above your lap.

If your shoulder, back, wrist, neck, or fingers are stiff, this will slow down your typing speed.

You won’t be able to hit over 50 wpm if your fingers, wrist, or body are stiff when you’re sitting at your desk. Incorporate regular stretching exercises into your day-to-day routine to improve your flexibility and reduce stiffness.

Wrist rotations, “claw” hands, finger stretches, and raised fist stretches are great exercises to incorporate into your routine to maximize your hand’s flexibility and reduce discomfort.

Always consult with your doctor before incorporating new exercises or stretches into your routine.

If you are new to typing or using all your fingers while typing, you may experience some discomfort at first. Be gentle with yourself and take frequent breaks to avoid straining your hands. Over time, you’ll develop stronger and more flexible muscles, and you won’t need to take as many breaks.

If you feel that you are getting frustrated or distracted during your practice session, stop and take a five-minute break. Slow but accurate progress towards your typing goal is much better than sloppy, frustrating progress. It’s much more effective to return to your typing practice when you feel well-rested and clear-headed.

Use finger exercises after long typing sessions to continue strengthening your fingers and avoid achiness.

If your wrists are getting tired, you need a break from typing, or you’re looking for a quick way to record notes, Notta Voice is a great option.

Notta is a speech-to-text application that takes audio files, including live voice recordings, and transcribes them into easy-to-read notes. Your notes can also be transcribed into 104 languages, making it a versatile and efficient tool for sharing your notes with others.

As an alternative to writing down your thoughts or drafting a memo, you can use Notta Voice Input and speak into your computer’s microphone. Then, Notta will transcribe what you say into notes for you. From there, you can easily export the text file into multiple formats, listen to the audio replay, and export the text into Notion.

Humans can speak faster than they can type, so Notta Voice can save you time and frustration. Your recordings and transcripts are also automatically synced across all your devices, from your computer to your phone to your tablet.

You can also use Notta to transcribe audio recordings of your video call meetings so that you’re not scrambling to take notes during the meeting. For more information, read our piece on how to transcribe a video call, like Zoom, using Notta.

Transcription can save you time and energy and give your hands a break during the day while providing you with valuable notes to reference later on.

Improving your typing skills can benefit you in many ways, from giving you an advantage over other job applicants, saving you time writing memos or emails, providing you with a wider job scope like transcriptionist, closed captioning and taking notes during a meeting. While you practice typing, don’t forget that you can use other time-saving tools to help with some of these situations.