WPM / Averages Grade Level
Typing.com was built to accommodate typists of all ages and skill levels, so although your approach to teaching will be tailored to the age and ability of your students, we encourage you to use this information as a guide.
While learning to type...
It has been found that practicing regularly in short bursts is more effective than a few longer training sessions. Over-training can result in decreasing alertness and a lack of proper technique (in other words, you get bored and make mistakes). Our training combines rote learning to memorize the keyboard layout and motor learning to build muscle memory in your fingers through repetition. The ultimate goal is to build long-term muscle memory, allowing you to type with minimal conscious effort.
What about speed...
It is more important to focus on accuracy rather than speed in the beginning. Speed will come with practice. The time you gain by going fast is negated if you need to go back and fix errors. Speed can vary among people in the same age group due to several factors like prior keyboarding experience, motor skills, training time, etc.
The speed chart below outlines the average speeds for student and adult typists.
Elementary School (3rd-5th grade) 8-20 WPM
Middle School (6th-8th grade) 20-30 WPM
High School (9th-12th grade) 30-40 WPM
College/Adult 40+ WPM
Setting the bar on Accuracy...
Accuracy is calculated by dividing the number of correct entries by the total number of characters typed. While 90% might seem like a good score based on standard grading, it is not equivalent to an A in typing. 90% accuracy means that 1 out of every 10 characters is incorrect, meaning that every other word has a mistake in it (since 5 characters equals “one word”). We recommend setting a minimum accuracy goal for your students and having them retake an exercise if the goal is not met. Exercises can only be retaken immediately after their completion, so be sure to pay close attention to your results before continuing on in the lesson.
The accuracy chart below outlines the recommended performance minimums for student and adult typists.
Elementary School (3rd-5th grade) 85% +
Middle School (6th-8th grade) 90% +
High School (9th-12th grade) 95% +
College/Adult WPM 98% +
We suggest that all students start at the beginner level.