Quick answer
120 WPM is elite, faster than more than 99.9% of typists and beyond any job requirement.
120 WPM is at the elite level and faster than more than 99.9% of the 168,000 typists measured in the largest typing study. Take the test above to see your own percentile and a full diagnosis.
What 120 WPM means in practice
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | Elite |
| Faster than | more than 99.9% of typists |
| Characters per minute | 600 |
| Keystrokes per hour | 36,000 |
| Words per hour | 7,200 |
| Time to type a 500-word essay | 4.2 minutes |
| Time to type a 2,000-word report | 17 minutes |
Is 120 WPM good?
120 WPM is elite, faster than more than 99.9% of typists and beyond any job requirement.
Jobs where 120 WPM meets typical requirements
Data EntryProgrammersMedical TranscriptionLegal SecretariesTranscriptionistsCourt ReportersVirtual AssistantsCustomer ServiceCall Center AgentsAdministrative AssistantsReceptionistsExecutive AssistantsJournalistsWriters & Bloggers
How to get from 120 to 130 WPM
- Push consistency above 80% on your results.
- Practice hard words and code for awkward reaches.
- Alternate 15-second sprints with long tests.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 120 WPM good?
120 WPM is elite and faster than more than 99.9% of typists. It meets the 40 WPM requirement used for federal clerk-typist jobs.
How many words per hour is 120 WPM?
120 WPM is 7,200 words per hour, or about 36,000 keystrokes per hour.
How long does it take to go from 120 to 130 WPM?
Most people gain about 10 WPM in 3 to 6 weeks of focused daily practice. Training your slowest keys and letter pairs speeds this up.