KPS Test
How to use it: pick 5, 10, 15 or 30 seconds, press START (or Enter), then press keys on your keyboard as fast as you can. The timer starts with your first key. Every fresh key press counts once; holding a key down does not add more.
This KPS test measures your keys per second: how many key presses you make on your keyboard each second. Pick a length, press START and tap any keys as fast as you can. You get your KPS, your total key presses, your fastest single second and the keys you pressed most.
KPS matters in rhythm games such as osu!, where players tap two keys to hit notes, and in any game where you spam a key. The test runs in your browser with nothing to install, and your best score for each length is saved on this device.
How to take the KPS test
- Choose a length with the buttons under the score tiles: 5 s, 10 s, 15 s or 30 s. The test starts on 5 s.
- Press START, or press Enter. The heading changes to READY.
- Press any key. Your first key press starts the timer and the heading changes to GO!
- Keep pressing keys as fast as you can until the timer reaches zero.
- Read your result: KPS, total key presses, your fastest second and your most pressed keys.
The four tiles above the test show your live KPS, your Keys so far, the Seconds left and your Best KPS for the chosen length.
What counts as a key press
- Any key counts. Letters, numbers, Space and the arrow keys all count. You can use one key, two keys or your whole hand.
- Each press counts once. A key held down sends repeated signals to the computer, but the test ignores them until you release the key and press it again.
- Mouse clicks do not count. For mouse speed, use the CPS test.
- Shortcuts are left alone. Presses with Ctrl, Alt or Cmd held down, and the Tab key, are not counted, so browser shortcuts still work.
How your KPS is calculated
Your KPS is your total key presses divided by the length of the test, rounded to one decimal place:
| Key presses | Length | KPS |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | 5 s | 8.0 |
| 75 | 10 s | 7.5 |
| 105 | 15 s | 7.0 |
| 195 | 30 s | 6.5 |
Because the timer starts with your first key and not with the START button, you do not lose time reaching for the keyboard.
The fastest second is the most key presses you made in any one second window during the test. It is often higher than your average, because most people slow down as their fingers tire.
KPS and osu! streams
In osu!, the default keys are Z and X. The osu! wiki explains that streams, the fast runs of notes in a song, are usually 1/4 notes: four notes for every beat. That makes it easy to work out the KPS a stream needs:
KPS needed = BPM × 4 ÷ 60
| Song tempo | KPS for 1/4 streams |
|---|---|
| 120 BPM | 8 |
| 150 BPM | 10 |
| 180 BPM | 12 |
| 200 BPM | 13.3 |
| 240 BPM | 16 |
The osu! wiki describes alternating between two keys as faster than single tapping, because each finger gets time to rest. Try the test both ways and compare.
One key or two?
- One key (single tapping): simple and consistent, but the same finger has to lift before it can press again.
- Two keys (alternating): each finger does half the work, and the osu! wiki says players argue it is much faster. The osu! wiki notes that it is harder to keep even, because one finger is usually stronger than the other.
- More fingers: rolling three or four fingers across keys can push the number higher still, but it is harder to keep a steady rhythm.
Look at the Most pressed list after each test. If one key has far more presses than the other, your alternation is uneven.
Does your keyboard limit your KPS?
Usually not. The keyboard checks its keys many times a second: Wooting, a keyboard maker, explains that a scan rate of 1000 Hz means every key is checked every 1 ms. Even the slowest common rate of 125 Hz checks 125 times a second, far more often than anyone can press a key.
What can matter is debounce. Mechanical switches bounce for a few milliseconds when they close, so the keyboard waits before it accepts the next press of the same key. A long debounce delay can merge very fast repeat presses of one key. Alternating two keys avoids this. Keyboards with magnetic or optical switches have no contacts to bounce; read more in our guide to Hall effect keyboards and rapid trigger.
How to raise your KPS
- Alternate two keys with your index and middle fingers.
- Press lightly. The key only needs to go down far enough to register.
- Keep a rhythm. An even beat lasts longer than a burst that falls apart.
- Relax your wrist and forearm. Tension slows you down over 15 and 30 seconds.
- Warm up first. Your first round is usually your slowest.
- Take breaks. Fast repeated pressing can strain your hand. Stop if anything hurts.
KPS and other speed tests
| Test | What it counts |
|---|---|
| KPS test | Key presses per second, any key |
| Spacebar counter | Presses of the Space key only |
| CPS test | Mouse clicks per second |
| APM test | Clicks and key presses per minute |
| Typing speed test | Words per minute |
If keys do not register when you press several at once, the problem may be your keyboard’s rollover. See keyboard ghosting and N-key rollover.
Frequently asked questions
What is a KPS test?
A KPS test counts how many keys you press on your keyboard per second. This one lets you choose 5, 10, 15 or 30 seconds and shows your KPS, total presses, fastest second and most pressed keys.
What is a good KPS?
It depends on what you need it for. For osu!, a 180 BPM stream of 1/4 notes needs 12 KPS. Compare your own results over time on the same test length rather than against a single target.
Does holding a key count?
No. Holding a key counts as one press. You have to release it and press again for the next one to count.
Do mouse clicks count in the KPS test?
No, only keyboard keys. Use the CPS test for mouse clicks, or the APM test to count both.
Can I take the KPS test on a phone?
The test is made for a physical keyboard. On-screen keyboards on phones and tablets may not register, so connect a keyboard if you want to test on a phone.
Is my best KPS saved?
Yes, your best score for each length is saved in your browser on this device. Nothing is uploaded.