Typing speed on a phone
Typing on a touchscreen is a different skill from typing on a keyboard. You use one or two thumbs instead of ten fingers, the keys are small, and there is no physical feedback to tell you that you hit the right spot. This mobile typing test is built for that: tap the text box, your phone keyboard opens, and the timer starts with your first letter.
Autocorrect is off in this test
Your phone normally fixes a lot of mistakes for you, and suggests whole words before you finish them. In the test, autocorrect is switched off for the input box, so the result reflects what you actually typed. That is why many people see a lower score here than they expect. It is a fairer measure of your own accuracy, and it makes results comparable from one test to the next.
Some keyboards still show suggestions above the keys. Tapping a suggestion inserts the whole word, which may not match the test text exactly, so it is best to ignore the suggestion bar and type each letter.
Phone and keyboard records are kept separately
Your mobile results are saved apart from your results on a physical keyboard. Thumb typing is usually much slower than ten-finger typing, and mixing the two would make both sets of numbers meaningless. If you want to compare, take the regular typing test on a computer and this test on your phone, then look at each set on its own. For typical ranges on phones, see average typing speed on a phone.
Everything is stored in your browser on that device. Nothing is sent to a server, and no account is needed.
Tips for faster phone typing
- Use two thumbs. Typing with one finger or one thumb is almost always slower once you are used to two.
- Hold the phone in portrait with both hands. Keep it steady and close enough that you don't need to stretch.
- Aim for the middle of each key. Most mistakes come from hitting the edge of a neighboring key. Slightly slower, more centered taps often raise your WPM.
- Don't rush the space bar. Many errors on phones are missing or doubled spaces between words.
- Try landscape if your thumbs are large. The keys get wider, which can help accuracy, though the text area gets smaller.
- Turn off keyboard sounds and haptics if they distract you. Some people type faster with them, some without. Test both.
- Check your keyboard app. Different keyboard apps have different key sizes and layouts. If you use a swipe or glide keyboard normally, note that the test measures tapped letters.
When to switch to a keyboard
If you type a lot for school or work, most of your speed gains will come from a physical keyboard, where touch typing lets all ten fingers work at once. The free typing lessons start with the home row and work up to full speed drills. They work best on a computer or with a keyboard connected to a tablet.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't my phone correct my typos in the test?
Autocorrect is turned off for the test box so the result shows your real accuracy. It stays on in your other apps.
Can I use a Bluetooth keyboard with this test?
Yes, but the result will be saved with your phone results. For keyboard typing, use the regular typing test so your records stay comparable.
Does the test work on tablets?
Yes. Tablets with an on-screen keyboard work the same way as phones.