C Typing Test

C code is full of pointers (*), addresses (&), braces and semicolons, plus format strings like %d.

Symbols you will practice

" # % ( ) * + , - . : ; < = > [ \ ] { }

How code typing works

• Press Enter at the end of each line. Indentation is filled in automatically, like in a code editor.
• Every symbol must be typed exactly, which is what makes code practice so useful.
• Use the language menu above the test to switch languages.

Where the C symbols are

Programming uses keys that everyday typing rarely touches. This table shows the finger for each symbol in this test on a US QWERTY keyboard:

Why programmers should practice typing

Code is mostly read and edited, but typing speed still matters: faster, more accurate typing keeps you in flow, makes refactoring less tedious and lowers the cost of writing tests and documentation. The biggest gains come from symbols, because brackets, quotes and operators sit on the edges of the keyboard where the pinkies do the work.

Tips for typing code

1. Learn the bracket pairs by feel. ( ) are Shift + 9 and 0; [ ] and { } sit to the right of P.
2. Use the opposite Shift for symbols, just like capital letters.
3. Let your editor help. Auto-closing brackets and snippets save keystrokes, but practice here without them so the motions are automatic.
4. Measure both speed and accuracy. In code, a single wrong character can break the program, so accuracy matters more than raw speed.

How your score is calculated

• WPM (net words per minute) counts only correctly typed characters, divided by five (the standard length of a word, including spaces), divided by the minutes taken. Mistakes you leave in the text do not add to your speed.
• Raw WPM counts every keystroke, right or wrong. A large gap between raw and net WPM means accuracy is holding you back.
• Accuracy is the share of keystrokes that were correct when you typed them. Fixing a mistake with Backspace still counts the original error, which is how most employer tests work too.
• Consistency shows how steady your speed was from second to second. Above 80% means a smooth rhythm; below 60% usually means you pause on certain words or keys.
• Percentile and grade compare your net WPM with the 168,000 typists measured in the largest published typing study (average 51.56 WPM).

Every way to practice on Typeri

Add punctuation or numbers to time and words tests, switch between 12 languages, and open the settings to change text size, show an on-screen keyboard, add a pace caret or stop on errors.

Typing speed grades

More questions

How accurate is the C typing test? It counts only correctly typed characters and uses the standard five-characters-per-word formula, the same method employers and typing schools use. For a reliable number, take the test three times and average the results.

Why is my score lower than on other sites? Many sites report raw speed or round up. Typeri reports net speed, so uncorrected mistakes do not count. Text difficulty also matters: punctuation, capitals and numbers all slow everyone down.

Does the test work on a phone? Yes. Tap the text to open your keyboard. Phone typing is usually slower than a physical keyboard, so compare phone results with other phone results.

How often should I test? Once or twice a day is plenty. Spend the rest of your practice time on drills for your weakest keys and letter pairs, which is where improvement comes from.

Other languages

Frequently asked questions