How to take the test
- Open TypeBench on the Typing speed tab.
- Choose the language, the mode and the duration: 15 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute or 2 minutes. Words uses about 230 of the most common words of the language; Text uses proverbs, pangrams and sentences with punctuation and capitals.
- Start typing. The timer starts with the first key. Space moves to the next word.
- Press Tab for a new text and Esc to start again.
- At the end you see your speed, accuracy, a speed chart by second, your consistency and the keys you missed most.
Each language and mode has its own personal best for each duration, kept on your device.
How the numbers are calculated
- WPM (words per minute): correctly typed characters, including the spaces after correct words, divided by 5 and by the minutes. Five characters count as one “word”, the standard used by typing tests, so results are comparable between languages and texts.
- Characters per minute = WPM × 5. You can switch the main unit.
- Raw speed: all typed characters, mistakes included.
- Accuracy: the share of keystrokes that were correct at the moment you pressed them. Fixing a typo with Backspace does not erase it from accuracy.
- Consistency: how even your speed was from second to second.
Levels and average typing speed
Your result gets a level on a chili pepper heat scale, like the Scoville scale:
| Level | Typing, WPM | Reaction, average |
|---|---|---|
| Bell pepper | under 25 | over 400 ms |
| Poblano | 25–40 | 340–400 ms |
| Jalapeño | 40–55 | 300–340 ms |
| Cayenne | 55–70 | 265–300 ms |
| Habanero | 70–90 | 235–265 ms |
| Ghost pepper | 90–110 | 205–235 ms |
| Carolina Reaper | 110 and more | under 205 ms |
An average adult types about 40 WPM; office work is comfortable from 50–60 WPM, and professional typists exceed 80. TypeBench also shows roughly what share of people you are faster than. It is an estimate based on a normal distribution around 41 ± 16 WPM for typing and 275 ± 45 ms for reaction, and the page says so.
The reaction time test
On the Reaction time tab, wait for the screen to turn green and tap, click or press Space or Enter as fast as you can. After a random wait of 1.5–4.5 seconds the screen changes; there are five tries. You get the average, the best, the median and the spread.
Pressing before the green counts as “Too soon!”, and anything faster than 90 ms is treated as a guess and not counted. Results depend a little on the screen: a fast monitor and a wired mouse or keyboard give slightly better times than a phone screen.
Challenge a friend
After a test, share the result as a link. It carries your score and the exact text: TypeBench generates texts from a number (seed), so the same number always gives the same words. Your friend sees “You have been challenged!”, types the same text with the same settings and gets a comparison. They can answer with their own link. You can add a name of up to 24 characters, and there is a square picture for stories.
How to type faster
- Accuracy first. Every mistake costs a Backspace and breaks the rhythm. Slow down until you reach 97–98% accuracy, and speed will follow.
- Use all ten fingers with the index fingers resting on F and J (А and О on the Ukrainian layout). Do not look at the keyboard.
- Practise your weak keys. TypeBench lists the keys you miss most: type words that contain them.
- Short and often. Ten minutes a day of 1-minute tests helps more than an hour once a week.
- Sit comfortably, wrists straight and relaxed, the screen at eye level.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good typing speed?
40 WPM is average, 60 WPM is good for office work, and over 80 WPM is fast. Accuracy above 95% matters as much as speed.
Why is my speed lower in Ukrainian?
Ukrainian words are longer on average, the layout spreads letters across more keys, and many people practise English more. Compare results within one language.
Does the test work on a phone?
Yes, with the on-screen keyboard or a connected one. Autocorrect and suggestions can interfere, so results on a phone are not comparable with a physical keyboard.
Are my results stored?
Only in this browser: the last 50 tests and your personal bests. Nothing is sent to a server, and a link contains only the result, the text settings and the name you chose.
What is a normal reaction time?
For a visual signal, most people average 250–300 ms. Tiredness, the screen and the input device all affect it.