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How words per minute is worked out
Real words differ in length, so typing tests agree that every five keys count as one word.
- Raw speed is keys typed, divided by 5, divided by minutes.
- Net speed takes one word off for each mistake left in, per minute: raw speed minus mistakes divided by minutes.
- Accuracy is the keys that were right, divided by all the keys typed.
- Keys per hour is keys typed, divided by minutes, times 60.
A worked example: 260 keys in 2 minutes with 4 mistakes left in. Raw speed is 260 divided by 5, divided by 2, which is 26 words per minute. Net speed is 26 minus 4 divided by 2, which is 24. Accuracy is 256 out of 260, or 98%. Keys per hour is 7,800.
Words per minute to keys per hour
One word per minute is five keys per minute, so it is 300 keys per hour. Multiply words per minute by 300, or divide keys per hour by 300 to go back.
| Words per minute | Keys per minute | Keys per hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 50 | 3,000 |
| 20 | 100 | 6,000 |
| 30 | 150 | 9,000 |
| 40 | 200 | 12,000 |
| 50 | 250 | 15,000 |
| 60 | 300 | 18,000 |
| 80 | 400 | 24,000 |
| 100 | 500 | 30,000 |
Which number should I use?
Net speed is the one most typing tests report, because it rewards getting the keys right. For a child, accuracy is the number to watch first. Speed follows once the fingers know where the keys are. To see how a score compares, try is my WPM good? or read our guide to average typing speed by age.
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Questions
How do I calculate words per minute?
Count the keys you typed, divide by 5, then divide by the minutes you typed for. 250 keys in 1 minute is 50 words per minute.
What is the difference between raw and net WPM?
Raw speed counts every key. Net speed takes off one word per minute for each mistake left in the text.
How do I turn WPM into keys per hour?
Multiply by 300. 40 words per minute is 12,000 keys per hour.
Is anything I enter saved?
No. The sums are done in your browser and nothing is saved or sent anywhere.