15 WPM is a beginner speed, faster than 3.5% of typists. It usually means looking at the keyboard or typing with a few fingers. Learning touch typing with our free lessons often doubles beginner speeds within a couple of months.
15 WPM is at the beginner level and faster than 3.5% 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 15 WPM means in practice
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Level | Beginner |
| Faster than | 3.5% of typists |
| Characters per minute | 75 |
| Keystrokes per hour | 4,500 |
| Words per hour | 900 |
| Time to type a 500-word essay | 33.3 minutes |
| Time to type a 2,000-word report | 133 minutes |
Is 15 WPM good?
15 WPM is a beginner speed, faster than 3.5% of typists. It usually means looking at the keyboard or typing with a few fingers. Learning touch typing with our free lessons often doubles beginner speeds within a couple of months.
Within reach (up to 30 WPM)
How to get from 15 to 25 WPM
- Learn the home row and stop looking at your hands, starting with Lesson 1.
- Practice the easy test daily with the on-screen keyboard.
- Keep accuracy above 95% before trying to go faster.
Compare speeds
Frequently asked questions
Is 15 WPM good?
15 WPM is beginner and faster than 3.5% of typists. Federal clerk-typist jobs require 40 WPM, and daily practice can get you there.
How many words per hour is 15 WPM?
15 WPM is 900 words per hour, or about 4,500 keystrokes per hour.
How long does it take to go from 15 to 25 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.