Words Per Minute Calculator

Work out typing speed from a test you took elsewhere, or convert between words per minute and keystrokes per hour. Results update as you type.

WPM Calculator

Calculate WPM

Characters typed (including spaces)

Uncorrected errors

Time in minutes

Use decimals for seconds: 1.5 = 90 seconds.

Gross WPM	60
Net WPM (error penalty)	59
Keystrokes per hour	18,000

Convert WPM and KPH

Words per minute

Keystrokes per hour	12,000

Keystrokes per hour

Words per minute	33.3

How to calculate words per minute

Typing speed treats every five characters as one word, spaces included, so a test full of short words isn't easier than one with long words.

Gross WPM = (characters typed ÷ 5) ÷ minutes

Example: 1,500 characters in 5 minutes is 300 "words" in 5 minutes, which is 60 gross WPM.

Net WPM with an error penalty

Many traditional typing tests subtract one word per minute for every uncorrected error:

Net WPM = gross WPM − (uncorrected errors ÷ minutes)

With 5 uncorrected errors in that same 5-minute test, net WPM is 60 − 1 = 59 WPM.

Our own typing test uses a slightly different net method: it simply counts the correct characters you typed. Both approaches reward accuracy; they just don't always give the exact same number.

WPM to keystrokes per hour

Data-entry and 10-key tests report keystrokes per hour (KPH). Since one word is five keystrokes: KPH = WPM × 5 × 60, so 40 WPM is 12,000 KPH, and KPH ÷ 300 gives you WPM.

Typing speed vs. reading speed

This calculator is for typing. Reading speed is also measured in words per minute, but it counts real words read rather than five-character groups typed, so the numbers aren't comparable.

Typing Test – Take a free online typing test in 15 seconds to 5 minutes. See your words per minute, accuracy and errors instantly. No sign-up needed.
10-Key Test – What is 10 key typing? Take a free number pad typing test and get your keystrokes per hour (KPH) and accuracy, the data-entry standard.
Average Typing Speed – What is the average typing speed, and what counts as a good WPM? A plain guide to typing speeds from 30 to 100+ WPM, with a quick test.
5-Minute Test – Measure the typing speed you can actually sustain with a free 5 minute typing test. See net WPM, accuracy and errors when time runs out.