Why take a 1-minute test?
Sixty seconds is long enough to get a real reading of your speed and short enough that you can stay fully focused the whole way through. That makes the 1-minute test the best way to see your top speed: the pace you can hit when you're fresh and paying attention.
Because the test is short, a single tricky word or a slow start can move your score a lot. For a fair number, take the test three times in a row and keep the middle score, not the best one. That middle score is a more honest picture of where you are today.
What's a good 1-minute score?
Your 1-minute score will usually be a bit higher than your score on a longer test, because there's no time to get tired. If you're just starting out, anything in the teens is a fine first number. Large studies put typical adults roughly between the high 30s and low 50s WPM, and 60 or more is fast. Compare your number with real study data in our guide to average typing speed.
1, 3 or 5 minutes: when to use each
- 1 minute: daily speed checks, warm-ups, and tracking progress between lessons.
- 3 minutes: a steadier everyday number that smooths out one bad word.
- 5 minutes: practice for job tests, where stamina and accuracy count.
Stuck at the same score? Read how to type faster for drills that work.