Typing speed test: WPM and accuracy

How to take a typing speed test

1. Open the Caret typing test and choose time mode.
2. Select a duration, such as 15, 30, 60 or 120 seconds.
3. Choose a language and decide whether to include punctuation or numbers.
4. Type the displayed text. The test begins when you start typing.
5. Read the result, including WPM and accuracy, when the test ends.

You do not need an account to test your speed. Sign in to save your results and review your history. Start with 60 seconds if you want a longer sample than a short sprint.

What does WPM mean?

WPM means words per minute. Typing tests conventionally treat five characters as one word, rather than counting dictionary words. At the basic rate, 300 counted characters in one minute equal 60 WPM: characters divided by five, divided by elapsed minutes.

Caret WPM reflects correctly typed text. Raw speed includes incorrect input too, so it can be higher. Corrections, unfinished words and test settings affect the final result; raw speed alone does not describe how accurately you typed.

Why accuracy matters

Accuracy describes the proportion of correct keystrokes. Correcting a mistake does not erase the fact that it happened. Read accuracy with WPM to distinguish controlled typing from a fast run with frequent errors. If accuracy drops while speed rises, slow down and work on the sequences causing mistakes.

Compare equivalent tests

A short test using common words is a different task from a longer quote with punctuation. Keep duration, language, mode, difficulty, punctuation and numbers consistent when comparing scores. Repeat a few tests and look for a pattern instead of judging progress by one unusually good or bad run.

There is no single WPM target that fits every person or task. Use your own baseline and the text you need to type as your reference. Caret measures practice performance; it does not issue a typing certificate.