1 Minute Typing Test

How to play: click the text box and type the highlighted word, then press SPACE. The 60 second timer starts with your first key. Press ESC to restart with new words.

This free 1 minute typing test measures your typing speed in words per minute (WPM) over exactly 60 seconds. Because the test lasts one minute, the number of correct words you type is very close to your WPM score, which makes it the easiest typing test to understand and the most common way to quote a typing speed.

The words are picked at random from a list of common English words, so you get a new test every time. Your best 1 minute score is saved in your browser so you can see when you improve.

How the 1 minute typing test works

  1. Click the text box. The first word is highlighted.
  2. Type the word and press SPACE. The timer starts on your first key.
  3. Correct words turn lime. Mistakes turn red and are crossed out.
  4. After 60 seconds you see your WPM, your accuracy and your number of mistakes.

Only correctly typed words count towards your speed. A “word” is a standard 5 characters, including the space after it, so long words are not penalised and short words do not give you an unfair boost.

Why test your typing speed for one minute?

One minute is long enough to smooth out a lucky or unlucky start, but short enough that you can type at full concentration from start to finish. That makes it a good everyday benchmark:

  • Quick progress checks. Take one test a day and you will see clear trends within a couple of weeks.
  • Easy to compare. Most people quote their typing speed from a test of about a minute, so your score is easy to compare with friends.
  • A warm up. A single 1 minute test is a good way to get your fingers moving before longer work or a longer test.

What is a good 1 minute typing score?

Around 40 WPM is often quoted as an average for adults who type regularly. Around 60 WPM is comfortably fast, and 80 WPM or more is typical of experienced touch typists. Aim for at least 95% accuracy as well, because a fast score with many mistakes is not a real typing speed.

If you want to know how well you keep that speed up, try a longer test. Most people score a little lower over 5 or 10 minutes than over one minute.

Tips for a better 1 minute score

  • Keep your eyes on the words. Look at the screen, not the keyboard, and read one word ahead.
  • Do not rush the first seconds. A calm start with no mistakes beats a fast start full of errors.
  • Keep a steady rhythm. Even keystrokes are faster than bursts and pauses.
  • Relax your hands. Tense fingers make more mistakes.

Other test lengths

Frequently asked questions

Is my WPM the same as the words I typed?

Nearly. WPM uses 5 character words, so typing many long words gives a slightly higher WPM than your word count, and many short words gives a slightly lower one.

Does backspace help?

You can fix a word with backspace before you press SPACE, but the wrong keystroke still lowers your accuracy.

Are capitals and punctuation included?

No. All words are lower case with no punctuation, so the test measures pure typing speed and accuracy.

Is my best score saved?

Yes, your best score for 1 minute is saved in your browser on this device. Nothing is uploaded.