WPM calculator: words per minute from characters and time
Enter how many characters or words were typed and how long it took. A word counts as five characters, spaces included, the same rule typing tests use.
No download, no account: it runs in your browser, Chromebooks included.
1,250 characters ÷ 5 = 250 words, over 5 minutes = 50 WPM. Net: 50 − 6 mistakes ÷ 5 minutes = 48.8 WPM.
Convert a speed
1 WPM = 5 characters per minute = 300 keystrokes per hour, counting one keystroke per character.
How WPM is calculated
Typing tests count a word as five characters, spaces and punctuation included, so long and short words weigh the same. Gross WPM is characters ÷ 5 ÷ minutes. Net WPM takes off one word per minute for every mistake left uncorrected, so speed bought with errors does not count.
Our typing test reports correct WPM instead: gross WPM times the share of characters you got right. Both reward accuracy; compare runs that use the same rule.
A short glossary
- WPM
- Words per minute, with a word as five characters.
- CPM
- Characters per minute: WPM × 5.
- KPH
- Keystrokes per hour, the unit of number-pad and data-entry tests: one keystroke per character, WPM × 300.
- Gross and net
- Gross counts everything typed; net takes off mistakes.
- Accuracy
- The share of characters typed correctly.
Measure your own speed on the typing test, see how it compares on average typing speed, or practice numbers on the 10-key test.