Make sure you know your true wpm speed

Different methods for calculating words per minute

Typing Tips

Speed Recommendations

The Importance of Your Typing Speed Calculation
There are various methods for calculating your words per minute (wpm) score on a typing test. The free online typing tests from an assortment of websites and software will result in score differences as high as 30 words per minute depending upon the calculation method used and the length of the test. You might score 60 wpm on one test and only 45 wpm on another, for example.

In a data entry home business, your speed and accuracy is vitally important as it directly relates to your profit. To learn more about this, review the article Typing Speed and Your Earnings.

For instance, if you are being paid 10 cents per piece for a 1,000 piece project, your earnings on that project will be $100 (.10 x 1000) no matter how long it takes you to complete. A typist at 30 wpm might earn that $100 in six hours whereas a typist at 60 wpm would earn that very same $100 in only three hours. That's a big difference.

This principal of time and speed applies regardless of the way your payment is determined. Transcription, for example, is often paid by the word, line or page. A much more accurate measure for both the typist and the customer is to pay by minute of audio transcribed. Typing a manual or other large document might pay by the word, page or hour. Data entry, in most cases, is paid by piece or record keyed.

Therefore, it is important for you to know what your typing speed is as it relates to actual typing or data entry projects. You need to consider your speed when taking into account how much you'll earn as well as how much time the project will take you to ensure you can meet the deadline.

I do not put much faith in a free online typing test unless I know how words per minute are calculated and can make a good judgment regarding the length of the test and the text that is being typed. When I used to hire independent contractors to provide data entry for my business, I preferred testing their typing skills manually. I have made a manual typing test available on the Typing Test page.

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Common Words Per Minute Calculations in the United States
The most common methods of calculating words per minute are described below. Beneath each one is an example of scoring the exact same typing test using that method. Notice the differences.

• Word Count minus Errors: By counting how many actual words are typed and dividing that figure by the number of minutes of the test, a gross words per minute score is obtained. The number of errors (counting only one error per word) is subtracted for a final net wpm score. Though it seems to make the most sense, this style is the least accurate, in my opinion. After all, it is a lot faster to type the word "alike" than it is to type the word "indistinguishable".

330 words typed
5 minute test
330 divided by 5 = 66 wpm
3 words typed in error
66 - 3 = 63 wpm (3780 words per hour or 18,900 keystrokes per hour)

• Character Count as Number of Correct Words: This approach counts all characters typed, including spaces; not just words. I view it to be far more realistic and therefore more accurate because it considers keystrokes - the keys pressed on your keyboard - which takes time and requires skill. The total number of characters typed is divided by 5 to get the Gross Number of Words. Errors are subtracted (one error per word) to get the Number of Correct Words typed. Dividing this figure by the time taken provides a wpm score.

1986 characters, including spaces
1986 divided by 5 =  397 words
3 words typed in error
397 words - 3 errors =  394 Correct Words
5 minutes test
394 divided by 5 =  79 wpm (4740 words per hour or 23,700 keystrokes per hour)

• Character Count as Gross Number of Words: I prefer this method above all else because it puts more emphasis on errors - and without accuracy, speed is meaningless. A typing test calculated this way encourages typists to key at a speed that minimizes errors - a tempo that is comparable to typing or data entry for an actual project, rather than testing. Errors reduce the wpm score directly by being subtracted from the total wpm score.

1986 characters, including spaces
1986 divided by 5 = 397 words
5 minutes test
397 divided by 5 =  79 wpm
3 words typed in error
79 wpm - 3 errors =  76 wpm (4560 words per hour or 22,800 keystrokes per hour)

Your Rank Depending upon the Method used
Keep in mind that, although your wpm score may differ from method to method, your ranking will be the same. For example, if you can type faster than your friend, your score will always be higher than your friend regardless of the style of test you take. All of these methods are valid when used to compare one person's skills against another (like in recruitment for employment) as long as the same method is used for each person.

However, in your own data entry or typing business, you aren't comparing yourself to anyone else. Your goal is to type as accurately and quickly as possible to earn more profit in less time and provide faster turn-around for your customers. That is why I recommend the third method above to rate your personal skill level.

The Most Important Goal
Accuracy is your first goal. Gradually increasing your speed with total accuracy is your second goal. You can take a typing test as many times as you wish, so your first score doesn't have to be your fastest! Rather than rushing yourself or feeling the pressure of "time" ... make your ambition zero errors no matter how fast or slow you type to achieve this. As you practice typing for precision, your speed will naturally increase. So will your confidence and expertise.

Happy Typing!

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