Average Words Per Minute: Typing, Reading, and Speaking (WPM Benchmarks)

Words per minute (WPM) is a simple speed metric: how many words you type, read, or speak in one minute. When people search for the average words per minute, they usually mean one of three benchmarks: typing speed (keyboard), silent reading speed, or speaking speed.

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Quick answer: average words per minute

If you just need the headline numbers, start here:

Typing (keyboard): many typing-test providers cite roughly 40 WPM as a typical adult average; 60+ WPM is often treated as above-average if accuracy stays high. ([Typing Pal][1])
Silent reading: average adult silent reading is commonly benchmarked around 200–260 WPM, depending on text type and study method. ([Nielsen Norman Group][2])
Conversation / presentations: conversational English is often cited around 150 WPM; many public-speaking guides recommend roughly 130–160 WPM for clarity. ([ncvs.org][3])

Limits can change—check the platform help center for the latest.

What counts as a word in WPM?

In everyday life, a word is a word. In standardized typing tests, though, a word is often defined as 5 characters (including spaces and punctuation). That keeps the measurement consistent even when words vary in length. ([Wikipedia][4])

That standard definition is why many typing tests calculate WPM as (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes, often adjusted for errors. ([Ratatype][5])

WPM benchmarks cheat sheet

Use this table as a quick reality check. Your own baseline depends on device, language, text difficulty, and how strict the test is about errors.

Activity	Typical average	Common good target	Notes
Typing (keyboard)	~40 WPM	60–80 WPM	Typing tests often use 5 characters = 1 word; accuracy matters as much as speed.
Reading (silent)	~200–260 WPM	250–350 WPM	Faster is only useful if comprehension stays high; text difficulty changes the number.
Speaking (conversation)	~150 WPM	130–160 WPM	For presentations, slightly slower than conversational pace is often clearer.

Why averages vary so much

If you have ever compared your WPM to a friend and got wildly different results, that is normal. WPM is sensitive to what you are measuring:

Typing: copying text (transcription) is usually faster than composing original text.
Reading: fiction vs non-fiction, screen vs paper, and skim-reading vs deep reading can shift WPM a lot.
Speaking: a casual chat, a scripted voiceover, and a technical talk naturally land at different speeds.

If your goal is productivity, pick the benchmark that matches your real task (emails, essays, scripts, captions), not a random internet leaderboard.

Related tools on this site: Word count, Character count basics, and Writing tools.

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Paraphrase, shorten, or expand drafts so they fit your WPM timing.

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How to calculate your WPM (typing, reading, speaking)

You can measure WPM yourself in a few minutes. The key is to use a repeatable method so your results are comparable week to week.

1) Typing WPM (keyboard)

Pick a short passage (150–250 words) and decide whether you are copying it (transcription) or writing your own text (composition).
Set a timer for 60 seconds and type normally (do not pause to over-correct every tiny mistake).
Count the total characters typed (including spaces). Use Word count if you are measuring by words, or use the standard test formula: WPM = (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes. ([Ratatype][5])
If your test penalizes mistakes, subtract errors according to the test rules. (Different tests handle errors differently, which is why scores can vary.)

Interpretation tip: if you can type 60 WPM with high accuracy, you are already faster than many everyday typists. ([Typing Pal][1])

2) Reading WPM (silent)

Choose a text similar to what you actually read (blog posts, textbooks, novels). Avoid extremely easy or extremely technical samples if you want an honest baseline.
Count the words in the passage (copy it into a word counter if needed).
Time yourself reading at normal comprehension speed, then compute WPM = words ÷ minutes.
Do a quick comprehension check (summarize the main point in 1–2 sentences). If comprehension drops, the higher WPM is not helping.

Benchmarks: UX research often assumes about 200 WPM for average web reading, while large research reviews estimate adult silent reading in the high 200s depending on text type. ([Nielsen Norman Group][2])

3) Speaking WPM (conversation, presentations, voiceovers)

Record yourself speaking for 60–120 seconds (a story, a meeting update, or a script).
Transcribe the segment (or use the script text if you are reading from one) and count the words.
Compute WPM = words ÷ minutes. Many sources cite about 150 WPM as a typical conversational rate in U.S. English. ([ncvs.org][3])

Practical planning shortcut: if you want a clear presentation pace of about 130–160 WPM, a 5-minute talk is roughly 650–800 words (130×5 to 160×5). ([tfcs.baruch.cuny.edu][6])

How to use WPM to plan content length

Once you know your WPM, you can estimate time from word count (or the reverse).

Time (minutes) = total words ÷ WPM. Example: 750 words ÷ 150 WPM = 5 minutes.
Target words = WPM × minutes. Example: 150 WPM × 2 minutes = 300 words for a short voiceover.

If you are consistently over or under your target length, do not just rush or pad. Rewrite the text so it fits your intended pace and still sounds natural.

That is where a rewriting tool can be useful: QuillBot can help you paraphrase, shorten, or expand text to hit a target word count without changing the core meaning, then you can read it aloud and re-check your WPM. Use it as an assistant, not as a substitute for human judgment. Shorten or expand text to match your target word count.

Trim long sentences when your script runs over time.
Generate a shorter summary version for slides or intros.
Polish grammar and clarity after you compress wording.

How to improve WPM (without tanking accuracy)

Improving WPM is mostly about removing friction and building consistent habits. A few high-leverage levers:

Typing improvement tips

Prioritize accuracy first; speed follows.
Use a consistent keyboard layout and learn touch-typing fundamentals (looking at the screen, not the keys).
Practice short bursts (5–10 minutes) with the same test length so you can track progress.

Reading improvement tips

Match your speed to the goal: skim for discovery, slow down for learning and retention.
Remove distractions (notifications) and improve legibility (font size, contrast) when reading on screens.

Speaking improvement tips

Use pauses on transitions; they reduce perceived speed without reducing content quality.
For technical material, aim toward the lower end of the 130–160 WPM range.
Practice once with a timer, then adjust the script length using word count instead of trying to talk faster.

Tighten any timed script

Edit my script

Mistakes to avoid

Comparing incompatible tests: 30 seconds vs 60 seconds, strict vs lenient error penalties, and copy-typing vs composition will produce different WPM.
Chasing speed at the expense of accuracy: for typing, error-heavy 80 WPM is usually less useful than clean 60 WPM.
Ignoring context: the right WPM for writing a novel, reading a contract, and delivering a keynote are not the same.
Over-trusting averages: age, language proficiency, device type, and topic familiarity can all shift your baseline.

FAQ: average words per minute

Is 40 WPM average for typing?

Many typing-test providers cite about 40 WPM as a typical adult average, but your result will vary by keyboard, test type, and how errors are counted. ([Typing Pal][1])

What is a good WPM for office work?

For many office tasks, being accurate and consistent matters most. As a rough benchmark, 60 WPM is often considered comfortably above average for everyday computer work if accuracy is solid. ([The Predictive Index][7])

What is the average reading speed in WPM?

Different sources use different methods, but common benchmarks place adult silent reading roughly in the 200–260 WPM range, with large research reviews estimating around the high 200s depending on text type. ([Nielsen Norman Group][2])

What WPM should I use to time a speech?

If you want a pace that is easy to follow, many guides recommend around 130–160 WPM. Conversational speech is often cited around 150 WPM. ([ncvs.org][3])

How do I calculate WPM from characters?

Many typing tests standardize one word as 5 characters (including spaces). WPM is then (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutes, with some tests subtracting an error penalty. ([Ratatype][5])

Can I improve my WPM quickly?

You can usually improve in weeks by practicing briefly and consistently, measuring the same way each time, and focusing on accuracy and comfort. Big jumps happen when you fix fundamentals (finger placement, rhythm, and reducing unnecessary corrections).

Conclusion

The most useful definition of average WPM is the one that matches your real task: typing, reading, or speaking. Measure your baseline with a repeatable method, pick a realistic target, and track progress over time.

Next step: count your words, estimate your time, and rewrite until your script fits your pace. If you want help tightening or expanding drafts to hit a word target, QuillBot can support the rewrite-and-check loop.