Words Per Minute Calculator
Measure typing or reading speed by entering total words, characters, elapsed time, and optional error counts.
Use total keystrokes or characters for more precise CPM.
Subtract half a word or custom character count per error.
English average ≈ 5. Use 6+ for technical text, 4 for short words.
Speed Metrics
Words per minute
75.8 WPM
1.26 words per second
Characters per minute
375 CPM
6.3 characters per second
How to Use This Calculator
Time your sample
Use a timed typing test or read a passage out loud while timing yourself. Note the total words and minutes.
Count errors (typing)
Subtract half a word or a custom character count for each uncorrected error. Adjust average characters per word if known.
Review speeds
Compare your scores to typing or reading benchmarks, then track progress over time or by content type.
Formula
WPM = (Words − 0.5 × Errors) ÷ Minutes
CPM = (Characters − Errors × AvgChars) ÷ Minutes
Words per Second = WPM ÷ 60
Example: 230 words, 1150 chars, 3 min, 5 errors (avg 5 chars) → WPM = (230 − 2.5) ÷ 3 ≈ 75.8. CPM = (1150 − 25) ÷ 3 ≈ 375.
Typing & Reading Benchmarks
Use these typical speeds to gauge progress or set goals for training sessions, transcription tasks, or reading practice.
- Typing: 40 WPM (average adult), 65+ WPM (office), 90+ WPM (professional typist)
- Reading: 200–250 WPM (average comprehension), 300–400 WPM (fast reader)
- Speech-to-text proofreading: 150–200 WPM (listening while editing)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why subtract half a word per error?
Many typing tests penalize uncorrected errors by 0.5 words to balance speed and accuracy. Some use full-word penalties—adjust as needed.
Can I use this for reading speed?
Yes. Treat "errors" as comprehension issues if desired, or set errors to zero for raw reading pace.
What about languages with longer words?
Change the average characters per word to match the language’s typical word length for accurate CPM conversion.
How often should I measure WPM?
Track weekly during practice sessions. Use consistent passages or typing tests to ensure comparable results.