Three units for one speed
- WPM (words per minute) is the unit of most typing tests. A word counts as five characters, spaces included, so the result doesn't depend on whether a text has short or long words.
- CPM (characters per minute) counts every character you type, spaces included.
- KPH (keystrokes per hour) is the unit of data entry and 10-key tests.
Enter a speed in any of the three units and the calculator works out the other two.
The formulas, with an example
The calculator uses these rules:
- 1 word = 5 characters, spaces included
- CPM = WPM × 5
- KPH = CPM × 60 = WPM × 300
KPH counts one keystroke per character: a capital typed with Shift still counts as one.
For example, at 40 WPM you type 40 × 5 = 200 CPM, which makes 200 × 60 = 12,000 KPH. The other way round, 9,000 KPH ÷ 300 = 30 WPM.
How long does it take to type a text?
Divide the number of words by your speed: minutes = words ÷ WPM. At 40 WPM, a 1,000-word text takes 25 minutes; at 60 WPM, about 17 minutes. A 2,000-word essay at 50 WPM takes 40 minutes.
The second part of the calculator does this sum for any length. Keep in mind that this is pure typing time: thinking, rereading and corrections come on top. The reference table gives CPM, KPH and the time for 1,000 words for speeds from 20 to 120 WPM.
How does your speed compare?
In a study by researchers from Aalto University and the University of Cambridge (Dhakal et al., CHI 2018, “Observations on typing from 136 million keystrokes”), 168,000 volunteers took an online typing test. On a computer, they typed about 52 WPM on average, and the fastest reached about 120 WPM. A follow-up study on phones (Palin et al., MobileHCI 2019) measured 36.2 WPM on average among 37,370 volunteers.
Both studies measured volunteers on a typing-test website, who may be faster than the population as a whole. The calculator places your speed against these averages. For a level-by-level view, from beginner to very fast, read What is a good typing speed?