Average Typing Speed by Age and Job

Most studies put the average adult at around 40 WPM, with a typical range of 30–50. A 2018 study of 168,000 volunteers (Dhakal et al., Aalto University) found an average of about 52 WPM among people who took an online test — a group likely more practised than average.

• Students: often 30–45 WPM
• Office/admin roles: 50–70 WPM
• Transcriptionists: 70–90+ WPM
• Competitive typists: 120–200 WPM in short bursts

See the WPM chart or test yourself.