TypeSprintWhy practice with paragraphs?
Word tests use lowercase words with no punctuation, which makes them a little easier than real writing. Paragraphs add capital letters (so you have to use Shift), commas, full stops and longer words. Most employment typing tests use paragraphs, so this is the best practice if you are preparing for one. Expect a score 5–10 WPM lower than on the word test.
About the passages
The passages were written for this site and cover everyday topics: a market morning, a short email, a museum visit, cooking and more. Each test picks a passage at random, and the next one follows straight on if you finish before the time runs out.
Typing capitals and punctuation faster
- Use the Shift key on the opposite side from the letter: left Shift for J, right Shift for A.
- Keep your little fingers close to Shift so you do not have to look.
- Practise the capital letters and punctuation lessons.
How your score is calculated
Every five correctly typed characters, including spaces, count as one word. Your WPM is the number of those words divided by the test length in minutes, so mistyped words do not count. Accuracy is the share of keys you pressed correctly. Read more about what your number means in our guide to the average typing speed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a paragraph typing test harder than a word test?
Yes, a little. Capitals, punctuation and longer words slow most people down by 5–10 WPM.
Do capital letters and punctuation have to be exact?
Yes. A word only counts as correct if every letter, capital and punctuation mark matches.
What happens if I finish the paragraph early?
A new passage follows automatically, so you can keep typing until the timer runs out.