Are You One of the Elite 30% Who Can Touch Type?
In the digital age, we spend more time than ever typing away on our computers and phones. But shockingly, less than 3 in 10 people can actually touch type when it comes to typing on a computer keyboard. But what is touch typing? Let’s put it simply as follows: Touch Typing stands for the skill of typing on a keyboard using all fingers without looking down at the keys.
Ironically, in the Digital Age, a basic skill such as typing is still available to only a fraction of the computer users. Typing is a complex skill, involving a number of complex processes in our head, which help convert our thoughts into words, and then triggering the movements of our fingers. Scientists refer to such activity as the Fine Motor movements. It is all complicated by the fact, that typing is not a natural skill. Although typing started to become popular nearly 150 years ago – typing is still not a natural skill. Just like the presence of bicycles has not led to a well defined Cycling Gene – the same way it is everyone’s responsibility to become good at typing, if we want to use computers efficiently.
Although typing ability might differ across various age groups, there is clear evidence that the abundance of computers around us cannot solve the problem of learning touch typing on its own.
After surveying typing skills across all age groups for 6 years, some trends were discovered:
- Touch typing mastery peaks between ages 18-30. Surveys found that less 48 % of young adults in the US have successfully conquered proficiency at typing and use all 10-fingers during typing without the need to peek at the keys.
- Among 18-30 year olds, almost half can touch type fluently. For those above 30 years old, the percentage of touch typists is lower.
- Overall, a dismal 60-70% of people in the US still “hunt and peck” type using only a limited number of fingers and needing to peek at the keyboard at least several times a minute.
But why do so few adults graduate from sloppy hunting and pecking? After interviewing hundreds of typists, I uncovered the key factors that make touch typing so difficult to master:
- Insufficient training. Some people are never formally taught 10-finger touch typing. Without the basic knowledge and some training on touch typing less than 10% of people master healthy typing habit.
- Underdeveloped finger dexterity. Touch typing requires building coordination and agility in all 10 fingers. If some fingers are far weaker, people default to just using their dominant fingers. Targeted finger strengthening exercises are key.
- Lack of motivation. Many don’t realize the time savings touch typing offers. Typing just 5 hours a week with the hunt-and-peck method could waste between $2,000 – $18,000 yearly in lost productivity compared to touch typing.
- Doubting ability to learn. Some believe touch typing mastery is an innate skill you either have or don’t. In reality, dedicated training and tools like proprioceptive keyboards can help nearly anyone learn to type efficiently. But overcoming self-doubt is critical.
The good news is, it’s never too late to get those typing fingers moving. With the right training and commitment, anyone can join the touch typing elite. However, the later we develop touch typing skills, the harder it will be to achieve excellence at typing. Find out more on the role of the age in learning typing in a previous post.
Want to test and improve your own typing skills? Try out our “FREE-FLOW TYPING TEST”, where you will see your current typing rate as you type any phrase you want, for example : “The young monkeys went to the jungle gym for some exercise.”
Typing proficiency among professionals between 30 – 45 y.o: ~ 40%
According to the latest statistics:
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There are around 130 million office workers in the United States of all ages. Out of those, 90 million are under 40 years old.
Specifically:
- 35 million are between 30-39 years old
- 55 million are between 20-29 years old
So if we look at the 20-39 age group, which are important career-building years, that’s about 90 million office workers.
Studies show that around 25-35% of people in this age group can’t type very well or quickly.
That means out of the 90 million office workers aged 20-39, between 22.5 million to 31.5 million struggle with typing efficiently on a keyboard.
In simpler terms – out of the 130 million total office workers in the U.S., up to 31.5 million younger workers under 40 could really benefit from getting better at touch-typing. Learning to type properly through special keyboards or computer programs could help boost their work skills and career growth.
Typing professiency in younger generation
Touch typing skills are declining, especially among younger generations. While many teenagers and young adults excel at “thumb typing” on mobile devices, they lack fluency with traditional keyboards. This is partly because keyboarding classes, once common in schools in the 1990s and early 2000s, are now rare. As a result, only about 8-10% of people can learn touch typing on their own without formal instruction.
Although frequent texting might seem like it would improve typing, it doesn’t translate to better computer typing skills. Mobile typing relies on two thumbs and visual focus, while touch typing on a computer requires all ten fingers and touch—skills that don’t overlap. In fact, habits from mobile typing may even hinder learning proper computer typing. So, is there a more intuitive way to teach typing that’s easier and more effective than current typing programs?
Let's first find out what makes Touch Typing better than Hunt-and-Pecking, and why anyone should bother about acquiring this skill?
– It is easier to explain this with numbers. It’s a known fact that touch typing on average is a more efficient way of typing. Below is a calculator, which converts the benefits of Touch Typing into real numbers:
Touch Typing
ROI
ℹ️
Return on Investment
Calculator
Potential Yearly Savings
$0
0 hours saved per year
By improving from 20 WPM to 65 WPM
What’s so special about this new approach, called Proprioceptive Typing?
Proprioceptive Typing uses touch for faster learning. Feeling the keyboard helps good habits become automatic more quickly. Physical ridges connect typing motions with emotions, memories and motivations
But what is so special about touch-typing?
Is not typing something that can be mastered naturally?
Is not typing just a mere poking at the buttons on the keyboard?..
Ever feel like your fingers just can’t keep up with your thoughts? You’re not alone. In today’s digital world, we’re all typing more than ever – emails, reports, social media posts, you name it. But here’s the kicker: if you’re still hunting and pecking at your keyboard, you might be sabotaging yourself without even realizing it.
Let’s talk about some familiar struggles:
🔍 The Endless Email Saga
You’ve got an inbox full of messages, but replying feels like climbing a mountain. By the time you finish one email, three more have arrived. Frustrating, right?
💼 Meeting Meltdowns
Everyone’s typing notes effortlessly, but you’re still fumbling with the keys. You’re so focused on typing that you miss half the conversation. Sound familiar?
⏰ The Procrastination Trap
That report is due tomorrow, but the thought of all that typing makes you want to clean your entire house instead. Suddenly, organizing your sock drawer seems urgent.
💪 The Tired Wrists Club
After a day of awkward typing, your wrists and shoulders are screaming. Who knew typing could be a workout?
😟 The Confidence Killer
You hesitate to contribute ideas in chat discussions because by the time you’ve typed your thought, the conversation has moved on. It’s like being stuck in digital slow motion.
These aren’t just minor annoyances – they’re roadblocks to your productivity and peace of mind. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be this way!
Imagine a world where:
- Your fingers dance across the keyboard, keeping perfect time with your thoughts
- You can focus on what you’re saying, not how you’re typing it
- You feel confident and capable in a digital world
- You say goodbye to those achy wrists and shoulders
That’s the power of touch typing.
“Learning to touch type isn’t just about speed (though that’s a nice perk). It’s about freeing up your brain to focus on what really matters.”
The best part? Anyone can learn to touch type. With the right approach and a bit of practice, you can transform your relationship with your keyboard. No more hunt-and-peck stress, no more digital frustration.
Ready to unlock your typing potential and make your digital life a whole lot easier? Stay tuned – we’ve got some game-changing tips and resources coming your way. Your fingers (and your brain) will thank you!
Take the First Step: Assess Your Current Typing Skills
Now that you understand the impact of inefficient typing, you might be wondering, “Where do I stand?” That’s a great question! The first step towards improvement is knowing your starting point.
We’ve created a quick and easy typing test to help you gauge your current skills. This test will:
- Measure your typing speed in words per minute (WPM) while you type just anything you want, even a random set of keys!
- Give you a clear picture of your strengths and areas for improvement
Ready to see how you measure up?
Don’t worry – this isn’t about judgment. It’s about empowering you with knowledge. Whether you’re a hunt-and-peck typist or somewhere in between, knowing your current skill level is the foundation for improvement.
After the test, we’ll provide personalized recommendations to help you boost your typing efficiency and transform your digital experience. Let’s get started on your journey to effortless typing!