5 Tips to Dramatically Increase Typing Speed! Practice Method and Recommended Tools

People who type fast are also fast at work.

"It takes 10 minutes to type one email" "I can't keep up with minutes of meeting" "My fingers can't keep up with speed of thought"

If you work using computer and are not confident in typing, it is very wasteful. Difference in input speed is directly connected to difference in productivity of work.

For example, let's assume you input 3,000 characters per day.

Average person (40 WPM): About 15 minutes
Fast person (80 WPM): About 7.5 minutes

Just 15 minutes difference? No, this is simple calculation for 1 email. Chat, document creation, search, correction... In total for a day, difference of several hours is born. To reduce overtime and use time for truly creative work, typing skill is essential "weapon".

This time, we introduce 5 steps for anyone to surely become faster and tricks taught by professionals.

Typing Speed TestMeasure your typing speed (WPM) and accuracy in real time

Step 1: "Absolutely" Keep Home Position

First step to get out of self-styled typing is thoroughness of Home Position. Please look for small protrusions on "F" and "J" of keyboard.

Left index finger: F
Right index finger: J
Others: Place naturally in horizontal row

This is "Home". No matter which key you hit, return here. "Y" is right hand, "T" is left hand. "B" is left hand. Finger in charge is decided. Just by keeping this, time loss to look for key every time becomes zero.

Step 2: Do Not Look at Keyboard (Touch Typing)

"I look at it because I don't know position of keys" I understand that feeling, but you will never become fast as long as you are looking.

Please look only at screen. At first, it does not matter if you make mistake or erase with BackSpace. By repeating practice of finding out only with sense of fingers "Was A around here?", brain and fingers are directly connected.

Step 3: Master Shortcut Keys

Even if character input is fast, if there are many times to reach for mouse, total work time becomes slow. At least, let's become able to use only these "like breathing".

Shortcut	Windows	Mac
Copy	Ctrl + C	Cmd + C
Paste	Ctrl + V	Cmd + V
Cut	Ctrl + X	Cmd + X
Select All	Ctrl + A	Cmd + A
Undo	Ctrl + Z	Cmd + Z
Overwrite Save	Ctrl + S	Cmd + S
Search	Ctrl + F	Cmd + F

Especially "Ctrl + Z (Undo)" is strongest ally. You can input aggressively without fear of mistakes.

Step 4: Stick to Tools (Keyboard Selection)

It is said that Kobo does not choose brush, but professionals stick to tools. Just by using external keyboard with solid keystroke feeling instead of laptop keyboard, speed and fatigue are completely different.

Selection of Axis for Mechanical Keyboard

Blue Axis (Clicky): Strong keystroke feeling, can type rhythmically. Sound is noisy.
Red Axis (Linear): Light and quiet. Do not get tired even if typing for long time. Popular with speed-oriented people.
Brown Axis (Tactile): Intermediate between blue and red. Recommended for beginners.

Step 5: Practice While Having Fun

It won't last if you do it like training. Let's practice with game feeling.

Recommended Practice Sites

Sushi Da: Super classic game to type before sushi plate flows.
e-typing: Ideal for basic practice of Japanese input. Level judgment is detailed.
Monkeytype: This is for English input. UI is minimal and beautiful, and there is immersive feeling.

And of course, Jenee's Typing Speed TestMeasure your typing speed (WPM) and accuracy in real time is also recommended. Measure your current WPM (words per minute) and accuracy in real time, and visualize growth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. How many characters per minute can be said to be "Fast"?

A. In case of Japanese input (Romaji), there are following guidelines.

Beginner: 100 characters~
General Level: 200 characters~ (Not troubled at work)
Fast: 300 characters~ (Can take minutes)
Pro Level: 400 characters~

Q. My little finger does not reach / cannot put power.

A. Since Japanese people have few opportunities to use little fingers, you may substitute with ring finger at first, but when you get used to it, you lose distance to move to "P" or "Backspace/Enter". Let's have consciousness to use little finger little by little.

Q. My wrist hurts when I type for long time.

A. Please place "Wrist Rest (Palm Rest)" in front of keyboard. By floating wrist a little or supporting it, risk of tendonitis can be reduced dramatically. Also, it is important to adjust height of chair so that elbow is at right angle.

Summary

Typing is same as bicycle. Once you acquire it, it is skill you will never forget in your life.

And that skill will definitely accelerate your career. Why not start by being conscious of "Home Position" from today? One month later, scenery of your work should have changed surprisingly.