Words Per Minute Calculator: Typing
This words per minute calculator works out your speed three ways. Enter a word count and the time it took to get words per minute for reading, writing or a speech. For typing, enter characters typed, time and errors to get gross and net WPM using the standard five characters per word. Or enter a word count and a speaking or reading rate to see how long a speech or article will take, which helps when planning a 5-minute talk. Results come with a rating against typical US adult averages.
Words Per Minute Calculator
Work out words per minute for typing, reading or a speech, or how long a text takes at a given WPM.
How to use the Words Per Minute Calculator
- Choose what to calculate: WPM, typing WPM or time needed.
- Enter the word or character count.
- Enter the time in minutes and seconds, or your WPM rate.
- Read the result and how it compares to the average.
Formulas
WPM = words ÷ minutes · typing gross WPM = (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes · net WPM = gross − errors ÷ minutes
Features
- WPM from words and time
- Gross and net typing WPM
- Speech and reading time
- Standard 5-character word
- Compared with typical averages
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate words per minute?
Divide the number of words by the time in minutes. 500 words in 2 minutes 30 seconds is 500 ÷ 2.5 = 200 WPM.
How is typing WPM calculated?
Typing tests count every five characters, including spaces, as one word. Gross WPM = (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes, and net WPM subtracts errors per minute.
What is a good typing speed?
About 40 WPM is average for adults, 60 to 70 WPM is good for office work and 80 WPM or more is fast.
How many words per minute do people speak?
Most speakers talk at about 130 to 150 WPM, so a 750-word speech takes about 5 minutes.
What is the average reading speed?
Most adults read about 200 to 260 WPM for normal nonfiction text.