The calculation of the typing speed is quite simple; it basically consists of knowing how many words you can type in a minute. Obviously, mistakes have to be taken into account to get to the final score, but it's nothing more than timing and counting words.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Tracking Time
Step 1. Choose a text
You have to type some text to calculate the typing speed. Avoid choosing the simplest you find, you can use quotes, a passage from a book or a newspaper article; opt for prose instead of poetry or song lyrics.
Step 2. Set up the page
Transfer the text of your choice into a word processing document making sure it contains at least 100 words. Place your cursor in the line below, making sure you can still read the text at the top of the page. You can also create a custom test using some web pages; just enter the piece you want to type and the online site creates the test for you.
Step 3. Find a timer
You can use any means that allows you to calculate a minute, but make sure it's easy to start and stop, so you can type for exactly 60 seconds; keep it close to you.
Step 4. Set and start the timer
Adjust it to measure one minute. If you are alone and have to take care of operating the instrument, set it with 5 seconds more to have plenty of time to return your hands to the keyboard and take a test of exactly 60 seconds.
- Actually, you can choose your preferred duration of the test; however, if you opt for just one minute, you just need to count the number of words typed to know the speed without having to perform other calculations by dividing the result by the time.
- For example, you can set the timer for 3 or 5 minutes, so you can find the "beat" of typing; if so, you need some text.
Step 5. Start typing
Try to write down as many words as possible before time runs out. You can correct errors, but this slows you down; remember that for the purpose of the result, errors are considered penalties.
Step 6. Find the number of characters you typed
Don't worry about mistakes at this stage; you can use your word processing program to calculate this number.
- Highlight the text you typed and find the tool ("word count") which is usually found in the lower left corner of the screen; in this way, you can know the number of beats.
- Divide the value by 5; you don't have to count words one by one because some are much longer than others, but use an average value of 5 characters per word. For example, if you typed 225 characters, divide the number by 5 and you get 45 words.
Step 7. Count the errors
Look at the text you wrote and count the wrong words. Be aware of any misspelled terms, neglected punctuation, and virtually any errors, including capital letters or missing spaces.
Step 8. Subtract the errors
Once you have found the number of mistakes, subtract it from the number of words typed; considering the previous example, if you made 5 mistakes, 45 - 5 = 40.
Step 9. Divide the total by the test duration and get the speed expressed in words per minute
If you've set the timer for one minute, there aren't many complications, just divide by 1 (you basically don't do any calculations). Assuming you have typed 40 words, you can say that your typing speed is 40 words per minute; if you have chosen to run the test for a longer time, divide the number of words by the number of minutes.
Part 2 of 2: Using an Online Test
Step 1. Find a test that's right for you
Most of the ones that are available online are quite similar; the main difference is the method by which the times are recorded. For example, in some cases you are asked to type for a certain period, in others the time it takes to write a quote is detected. Both methods are valid for calculating the typing speed.
Step 2. Choose a phrase
Many tests allow you to choose a passage from several proposals, even if there are web pages that indicate what to write, although it is possible to skip a quote that you do not like.
Step 3. Set the time
Some websites ask you to select the duration of typing. One minute is usually enough, but you can also choose to write for a longer time if you feel like you need to "loosen" your fingers.
Step 4. Start typing
Once you have selected the duration of the test, you just have to start typing on the keyboard. Take a deep breath so as not to be intimidated; when the time runs out or as soon as you have finished typing the sentence, the website should indicate the score.
