TypeSprintYour real everyday typing speed
When you write an essay, a report or a long email, you type for minutes at a time, not seconds. A five-minute test is the closest match to that kind of work. Your score here is usually a little lower than on short tests — and it is the most honest picture of how fast you type in real life.
When a 5-minute test is required
Government jobs, court reporting and transcription courses, data entry agencies and some universities ask for five-minute tests. They want to see that you can keep both speed and accuracy steady. Use the speed chart after each test to spot where your speed falls, then practice to flatten it.
How to keep your speed for five minutes
- Start at about 90% of your top speed instead of sprinting.
- Relax your shoulders and hands — tension makes you slower and less accurate.
- If you make a mistake, fix it quickly or move on; do not let it break your rhythm.
- Build up: take a 2-minute and a 3-minute test first.
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
Why is my 5 minute score lower than my 1 minute score?
Over five minutes, small dips in focus and tired hands add up. A drop of 3–8 WPM compared with a one-minute test is normal.
How many words is 5 minutes of typing?
At 40 WPM, about 200 words; at 60 WPM, about 300 words; at 80 WPM, about 400 words.
Can I pause the test?
No — the timer runs continuously, as in a real typing test. You can restart at any time with Tab or the restart button.