How to Double Your Typing Speed (Science-Backed Tips)

Average Typing Speeds

Before improving, know where you stand:

• Hunt and peck: 10-30 WPM
• Average typist: 40 WPM
• Touch typist: 60-80 WPM
• Professional: 80-120 WPM
• Competitive: 150+ WPM

Take our Typing Test to find your current speed.

Step 1: Learn Proper Hand Position

Place your fingers on the home row:

• Left hand: A, S, D, F (index on F)
• Right hand: J, K, L, ; (index on J)
• Thumbs on the space bar

The bumps on F and J help you find home position without looking.

Step 2: Stop Looking at the Keyboard

This is the single biggest speed improvement. It feels slow at first, but within 2 weeks of consistent practice, you will be faster than before.

The process:

1. Print or display a keyboard layout nearby

2. Cover your keyboard with a cloth if needed

3. Practice 15 minutes daily

4. Accept that accuracy drops temporarily

Step 3: Focus on Accuracy First

Speed follows accuracy, not the other way around.

• Practice at a speed where you make fewer than 3 errors per minute
• Gradually increase speed only when accuracy stays above 95%
• Fix mistakes immediately (builds correct muscle memory)

Step 4: Daily Practice Routine

Week 1-2: Fundamentals (15 min/day)

• 5 min: home row drills (asdf jkl;)
• 5 min: top row reach practice
• 5 min: bottom row reach practice

Week 3-4: Words (20 min/day)

• 10 min: common word practice
• 10 min: typing test with real sentences

Month 2+: Speed building (20 min/day)

• 5 min: warm-up drills
• 15 min: typing tests, pushing speed gradually

Common Mistakes

1. Using the wrong fingers - each key has an assigned finger

2. Tensing your hands - keep wrists floating, fingers relaxed

3. Looking down - break the habit early, the temporary slowdown is worth it

4. Ignoring errors - always backspace and fix, even in practice

5. Practicing too long - 20 focused minutes beats 60 tired ones

Ergonomics for Speed

• Keyboard height: elbows at 90 degrees
• Screen position: top of screen at eye level
• Chair: feet flat on floor, back supported
• Breaks: 5 minutes every 25 minutes (try our Pomodoro Timer)

Tools for Practice

• Typing Test - measure your WPM and accuracy
• Text Counter - analyze your writing output
• Pomodoro Timer - structured practice sessions
• Word Frequency Analyzer - find common words to practice