10 Proven Ways to Increase Your Typing Speed
Whether you're aiming for a job that requires 60 WPM or just want to get your emails done faster, these tips will help you type quicker and more accurately.
1. Learn Touch Typing First
Touch typing — using all 10 fingers without looking at the keyboard — is the single biggest improvement most typists can make. Start with the home row (ASDF JKL;) and build outward. It may feel slow at first, but your speed will surpass your old style within weeks.
2. Focus on Accuracy Before Speed
Typing fast with lots of errors is slower than typing accurately at a moderate pace. Train yourself to type each word correctly the first time. Your speed will naturally increase once accuracy becomes muscle memory.
3. Practice Daily for 15 Minutes
Consistency beats intensity. 15 minutes of focused typing practice every day will produce better results than occasional hour-long sessions. Use TypeMax every morning before you start work.
4. Use a Timer-Based Test
Time-limited tests (like the 60-second TypeMax test) are better for building speed than unlimited practice because they train you to maintain pace under gentle pressure. Take the test daily and track your WPM trend.
5. Improve Your Posture
Sit up straight, keep your wrists level (not bent), and position your keyboard so your elbows are at roughly 90 degrees. Poor posture slows your typing and can cause long-term injury.
6. Learn Common Word Patterns
Words like "the", "and", "that", "with", "have" appear constantly in English text. Drill these high-frequency words until your fingers type them automatically without conscious thought.
7. Stop Looking at the Keyboard
Every time you glance down at the keyboard you lose 0.5–1 second. Cover your hands with a cloth, use a blank keyboard, or simply commit to not looking. It's uncomfortable at first but essential for breaking the habit.
8. Type Real Content, Not Just Drills
Copy-type articles, emails, or stories you enjoy. Real-world content is more engaging than repetitive drills and exposes you to natural sentence patterns and punctuation.
9. Use Your Weakest Fingers More
Most typists over-rely on their index fingers. Practice specific exercises targeting your ring fingers and pinkies, which handle keys like Q, A, Z, P, semicolon, and others.
10. Track Your Progress Weekly
Take a 60-second typing test on TypeMax every Monday and record your WPM. Seeing your number go from 45 to 52 to 60 is highly motivating and keeps you consistent.