WPM stands for Words-Per-Minute – the measure of one’s typing rate .
It is used to describe how quickly a person can type.
There are at least two ways of calculating the WPM number:
1) In the first method we can use the number of characters typed:
Because English words on average are five letters long, it is easy to calculate the number of words by the number of characters that you type in, by dividing the number of characters by 5. And then, divide this number by the time, in minutes.
Below is a formula for calculating the WPM rate:
You might wonder, what is so magical about number five and why we used it the formula above. The answer is simple, the length of the English words, on average, is five characters long. Thus, it is not the actual amount of words in a text, but rather the number of all characters (including commas and special symbols), is taken into consideration which is then divided by five.
2) Alternatevely, we might calculate the WPM, by knowing only the number of words typed, without counting the number of characters individually.
Thus, our formula can be simplified as follows:
WPM = Number of Words / Time (in minutes):
Now, all if we want to calculate our typing rate, all we need is a stopwatch, and to know the number of words typed.
However, there is no need to calculate letters or words manually. Many word processors, such as the Numbers on Macs, or Microsoft Words on Windows will calculate them for you. All you need – is to enable the indication of the WPM number.
Calculating WPM using Apple computers:
Here is how to enable the WPM indicator in the Numbers text editor on your Mac.
Displaying WPM In Microsoft Word:
If you are using Microsoft Word, then there is nothing else you need to do – the WPM indicators are visible by default, and can be found at the bottom of the program’s window in the right hand corner.
There are in fact two WPM numbers. One shows how many words are in the entire document, and the other one shows how many words are selected.
Now we have the word count ready, and all we need to calculate the WPM number – is to know the time it took to type the text. Unfortunately there is no built function which would automatically calculate the WPM score in Word or in Pages. Therefore, all we can do – is to set a timer ourselves.
Here there are plenty of options. We can use a stopwatch function in our phone, we can use an online stopwatch. I tried using Alexa to start a timer. However Alexa is asking too many questions, therefore I used a smartphone clock and a built in function for the stopwatch.
However, my favorite technique was starting a YouTube video, for example with a TED talk on the subject of my interest. I tried typing for the length of the video. At the end, I knew the exact length of the video, and I could see the word count in the text editor where I entered the text. Thus, all I had to do – is to divide Word Count by the Length of the Video.
It is necessary to mention that even if cannot keep up with the speed of the speaker in the video you chose – it is OK. Just skip and type the next word you hear.
A better way of finding out your WPM score:
After practicing typing along with listening to numerous YouTube talks on various very informative subjects, I still wanted to automate the process of calculating WPM.
Then, I came up with a simple code, which allowed me to type and see my WPM score in the real life.
Below, I have posted my WPM counter. All you need – is to start typing. The WPM is automatically updated just below the text box.
When you are ready to start over just hit the word “RESTART”, and start over.
We have described how to manually calculate the Words-Per-Minute count using Apple or Windows computer. However, it is much easier to do below: just start typing any text and you will see your current typing rate in the [WPM] box below. Use the RESET button when you to restart the test.
Online WPM Test
Words per minute (WPM) is a metric that measures how many words a person can accurately type in one minute. It is used to assess and compare typing speed and proficiency across individuals or track personal progress in typing skills over time. However, WPM is not an absolute metric and does not necessarily describe a person’s overall proficiency in typing, as factors like accuracy, technique, and endurance also play a crucial role.
For decades, Words Per Minute (WPM) has been the de facto standard for measuring and evaluating typing proficiency. This simple metric calculates speed by counting the number of words a typist can input per minute. However, emerging research indicates that WPM alone provides an incomplete and potentially misleading gauge of overall typing skill.
While easy to track, WPM only quantifies raw typing speed. It does not account for accuracy, proper technique, efficiency of motion, or other qualitative aspects of proficiency. Studies show that two typists with identical WPM may exhibit vastly different levels of precision, finger usage, posture, gaze patterns, and fatigue. Relying solely on WPM curtails understanding the multidimensional nature of genuine typing mastery.
WPM also fails to capture user experience elements like focus, flow state, and avoidance of repetitive strain injuries. These factors critically impact typing productivity and sustainability over time. Yet the numerical WPM rating is blind to them.
In summary, while useful as a baseline metric, WPM provides an oversimplified and ultimately insufficient picture of typing ability on its own. A multifaceted approach combining quantitative speed with qualitative insights is needed to properly evaluate mastery. This knowledge gap impedes the development of truly effective training curriculums, devices, and techniques to unlock expert typing performance.
Here is a summary of the key problems highlighted in the article about the limitations of using Words Per Minute (WPM) as the sole metric for typing proficiency:
- WPM only measures raw typing speed, not accuracy, technique, efficiency of motion, or other qualitative aspects of skill.
- Two typists with identical WPM may exhibit very different precision, finger usage, posture, gaze patterns, and fatigue.
- WPM fails to capture user experience factors like focus, flow state, and injury avoidance that impact productivity.
- WPM provides an oversimplified and insufficient picture of overall typing mastery on its own.
- Relying solely on WPM curtails a fuller understanding of the multidimensional nature of genuine typing expertise.
- A multifaceted evaluation approach combining quantitative speed with qualitative insights is needed.
- The knowledge gaps caused by over-reliance on WPM impede the development of truly effective typing training methods and technologies.