Is 120 WPM Good?
Worldwide Percentile: 99.9th Percentile (Top 0.1%) • Global Average: 41.4 WPM
Quick Verdict: Is 120 WPM a Good Typing Speed?
Master TierYes, 120 WPM is considered very good and fast. At 120 WPM (~600 CPM), you type faster than 99.9% of all computer users worldwide (putting you in the top 0.1%). This qualifies you for virtually all office, management, and transcription employment standards.
Is Your Typing Speed Good?
Yes, 120 WPM is a master tier typing speed (Top 0.1% globally).
Yes, 120 WPM is considered very good and fast. At 120 WPM (~600 CPM), you type faster than 99.9% of all computer users worldwide (putting you in the top 0.1%). This qualifies you for virtually all office, management, and transcription employment standards.
1. How Does 120 WPM Compare Globally?
Typing at 120 words per minute translates to approximately 600 keystrokes per minute and 2.00 words typed every single second. Compared against global demographic data from millions of standardized typing sessions, this speed puts you firmly in the 99.9th percentile. At 120 WPM, typing speed is measured using the standard definition of 5 keystrokes per word (including spaces and punctuation). This means typing at this speed generates 600 keystrokes every minute.
120 WPM easily exceeds the requirements for middle school, high school, and university coursework, allowing essays and exams to be typed effortlessly.
2. Jobs You Can Get With 120 WPM
Typing speed is a standard hiring filter across corporate, technical, legal, and healthcare industries. Here is your qualification status across common occupations:
| Career / Occupation | Required WPM | Your Score (120 WPM) |
|---|---|---|
| General Office / Administrative | 40 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| Customer Support Specialist | 45 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| Data Entry Specialist | 55 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| Executive Assistant / Paralegal | 60 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| Software Engineer / Tech Writer | 60 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| General Transcriptionist | 70 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| Medical Scribe | 75 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| Legal Transcriptionist | 80 WPM | ✓ Exceeds |
| Court Reporter / Stenographer | 180 WPM | Below (60 WPM needed) |
Verify Your Actual Speed
Test your live WPM and accuracy under real 60-second test conditions.
3. Explore Other Typing Speed Benchmarks
Compare how 120 WPM stacks up against other common speed milestones:
Frequently Asked Questions: Is 120 WPM Good?
Verified answers to common questions about typing 120 words per minute, percentiles, and job standards.
1 Is 120 WPM a good typing speed?
Yes, 120 WPM is considered very good and fast. At 120 WPM (~600 CPM), you type faster than 99.9% of all computer users worldwide (putting you in the top 0.1%). This qualifies you for virtually all office, management, and transcription employment standards.
2 What percentile is 120 WPM?
120 WPM is in the 99.9th percentile worldwide. This means you type faster than 99.9% of computer users, ranking in the top 0.1% globally.
3 How many characters per minute (CPM) is 120 WPM?
120 WPM is equivalent to approximately 600 characters per minute (CPM), or 2.00 words every single second, assuming the standardized measurement of 5 characters per word.
4 What jobs can you get with 120 WPM?
With 120 WPM, you exceed the speed requirements for data entry (55–65 WPM), corporate office administration (40–50 WPM), software development (50–60 WPM), and qualify for high-speed transcription and medical scribe positions.
5 How can I improve my speed from 120 WPM to 120 WPM?
To progress from 120 WPM to 120 WPM: (1) Maintain strict 10-finger touch typing on the home row; (2) Prioritize 96%+ accuracy over speed; (3) Read 2–3 words ahead to eliminate hesitations; (4) Practice daily 1-minute and 2-minute sprints.