Average Typing Speed by Age and Profession
The average typing speed is 40 WPM. See how WPM varies by age group and profession — from data entry clerks to programmers — and where you rank among your peers.
The average typing speed across all adults is approximately 40 WPM (Words Per Minute) with around 92% accuracy. However, this number varies significantly by age, profession, and the amount of time spent typing each day. Understanding where you stand relative to your peers is the first step to setting a meaningful improvement goal.
Average Typing Speed by Profession
Speed and accuracy are critical in this role. Most employers set a minimum WPM requirement of 60.
Document drafting, correspondence, and scheduling demand reliable, fast typing.
Typing code differs from prose — brackets and symbols add complexity, but fluency still accelerates workflows.
WPM Benchmarks by Job Type
- Medical Transcriptionist: 65–80 WPM with near-perfect accuracy.
- Legal Secretary / Paralegal: 65–80 WPM; precision over high-speed errors.
- Journalist / Writer / Editor: 60–80 WPM; speed enables faster drafting.
- Customer Support Agent: 45–60 WPM; simultaneous reading and typing.
- General Office Worker: 40–55 WPM; adequate for most daily tasks.
- Student: 35–50 WPM; note-taking benefit begins above 50 WPM.
Average Typing Speed by Age Group
Typing speed tends to peak in a person's mid-to-late twenties when reflexes are sharp and keyboard exposure is high. It generally remains stable through the forties and may decline slightly in later decades, though regular practice can maintain fast speeds well into older age.
Growing up with smartphones and keyboards gives modern teens a natural head start.
Daily professional typing tends to push adults above the global average over time.
Speed can remain high with consistent practice. Familiarity with keyboards often compensates for slower reaction times.
Context Matters
These are averages, not ceilings. Any motivated typist — regardless of age or profession — can break 70 WPM within a few months of consistent daily practice.
How to Interpret Your Results
When you take a typing test, two numbers matter most: your raw WPM (raw speed) and your adjusted WPM (speed minus error penalties). Focus on raising adjusted WPM rather than raw WPM — an accurate 60 WPM is more valuable in professional settings than a sloppy 75 WPM that requires constant backspacing.
"Don't race against strangers on the leaderboard. Race against yourself from last week."
Ready to put this into practice?
Take a free typing test on TypingFlash and find out your current WPM and accuracy.
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