Is 40 WPM Good?
Worldwide Percentile: 46th Percentile (Top 54%) • Global Average: 41.4 WPM
Quick Verdict: Is 40 WPM a Good Typing Speed?
Average40 WPM is considered a standard average typing speed. It aligns with the worldwide baseline of 41.4 WPM. While adequate for day-to-day emails and web browsing, aiming for 50–60 WPM will significantly increase workplace efficiency.
Is Your Typing Speed Good?
40 WPM is an average typing speed, matching the global population benchmark.
40 WPM is considered a standard average typing speed. It aligns with the worldwide baseline of 41.4 WPM. While adequate for day-to-day emails and web browsing, aiming for 50–60 WPM will significantly increase workplace efficiency.
1. How Does 40 WPM Compare Globally?
Typing at 40 words per minute translates to approximately 200 keystrokes per minute and 0.67 words typed every single second. Compared against global demographic data from millions of standardized typing sessions, this speed puts you firmly in the 46th percentile. At 40 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 200 keystrokes every minute.
For middle school students (grades 6–8), 40 WPM is a great score. High school and university students usually aim for 50+ WPM.
2. Jobs You Can Get With 40 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 (40 WPM) |
|---|---|---|
| General Office / Administrative | 40 WPM | ✓ Qualifies |
| Customer Support Specialist | 45 WPM | Below (5 WPM needed) |
| Data Entry Specialist | 55 WPM | Below (15 WPM needed) |
| Executive Assistant / Paralegal | 60 WPM | Below (20 WPM needed) |
| Software Engineer / Tech Writer | 60 WPM | Below (20 WPM needed) |
| General Transcriptionist | 70 WPM | Below (30 WPM needed) |
| Medical Scribe | 75 WPM | Below (35 WPM needed) |
| Legal Transcriptionist | 80 WPM | Below (40 WPM needed) |
| Court Reporter / Stenographer | 180 WPM | Below (140 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 40 WPM stacks up against other common speed milestones:
Frequently Asked Questions: Is 40 WPM Good?
Verified answers to common questions about typing 40 words per minute, percentiles, and job standards.
1 Is 40 WPM a good typing speed?
40 WPM is considered a standard average typing speed. It aligns with the worldwide baseline of 41.4 WPM. While adequate for day-to-day emails and web browsing, aiming for 50–60 WPM will significantly increase workplace efficiency.
2 What percentile is 40 WPM?
40 WPM is in the 46th percentile worldwide. This means you type faster than 46% of computer users, ranking in the top 54% globally.
3 How many characters per minute (CPM) is 40 WPM?
40 WPM is equivalent to approximately 200 characters per minute (CPM), or 0.67 words every single second, assuming the standardized measurement of 5 characters per word.
4 What jobs can you get with 40 WPM?
At 40 WPM, you qualify for entry-level positions with basic computer requirements. Reaching 50+ WPM will open opportunities for corporate data entry and administrative assistant roles.
5 How can I improve my speed from 40 WPM to 65 WPM?
To progress from 40 WPM to 65 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.