Typing speed goals by grade
There is no official typing speed for each grade. These are typical classroom targets, the ranges many keyboarding programs and teacher rubrics use. Use them as a starting point and adjust for your students.
| Grade | Speed (WPM) | Accuracy | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| K–2 | Not timed | Find the keys | Home row, finger placement, letters and short words. Speed isn't the goal yet. |
| 3 | 8–12 | 85%+ | Home row and top row by touch; looking down less. |
| 4 | 12–18 | 90%+ | All letter keys by touch; capitals with Shift. |
| 5 | 15–22 | 90%+ | Common words and short sentences without looking. |
| 6 | 20–25 | 94%+ | Sentences and punctuation; steady rhythm. |
| 7 | 25–30 | 94%+ | Paragraphs; numbers and symbols begin. |
| 8 | 30–35 | 95%+ | Sustained typing for a few minutes at a time. |
| 9–12 | 35–45+ | 95%+ | Essays and timed writing; code for CS students. |
Accuracy before speed
A student who types 30 WPM with a mistake in every sentence is slower in practice than one who types 22 WPM cleanly, because every error costs a correction. Set the accuracy target first, and raise the speed target only once most of the class meets it.
How SureTyping measures WPM
A word is five characters, including spaces, so speeds are comparable across texts. Real WPM counts only correct characters; raw WPM counts everything typed. Class goals use real WPM.
Set these goals for your class
In SureTyping, each assignment can have a target speed and accuracy. The class page shows how many lessons each student finished on target, so you can see who is ready to move on.
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