Average Typing Speed by Country: Global Benchmarks 2025
The worldwide average typing speed is 40-42 words per minute (WPM) with approximately 92% accuracy, but this number tells only part of the story. Typing speeds vary dramatically across countries, influenced by language complexity, keyboard layouts, education systems, technology adoption, and cultural factors.
This comprehensive guide explores typing speeds across the globe, revealing fascinating patterns about how different nations type—and why.
Top Tier: English-Speaking Nations (40-45 WPM)
United States
40-45 WPM- Standard QWERTY keyboard with high computer literacy
- Early adoption of typing education in schools
- Digital-first workplace culture since the 1980s
- Professional typists average 65-75 WPM
United Kingdom
40-44 WPM- Similar to US with slight UK keyboard layout differences (£ symbol, different @ placement)
- Strong administrative/clerical training tradition
- High office automation since 1990s
Canada
41-45 WPM- Bilingual regions (English/French) show interesting variations
- French-Canadian typists may use QWERTY or AZERTY layouts
- High technology penetration rates
Australia & New Zealand
39-44 WPM- Standard QWERTY layout identical to US
- Slightly lower due to smaller population of professional typists
- Growing tech sector pushing averages higher
Emerging Tech Powers (35-42 WPM)
India
35-42 WPM (English)- Rapidly improving due to massive IT/BPO sector growth
- Younger generation (under 30) averages 45+ WPM
- Multilingual typists often slower in English, faster in native scripts
- Hindi/regional language typing: 30-40 WPM due to complex input methods
Philippines
38-44 WPM- High English proficiency drives strong typing skills
- Large outsourcing industry demands 50+ WPM for jobs
- Social media usage boosts everyday typing practice
South Africa
36-42 WPM- Multilingual population (11 official languages)
- English typing similar to global average
- Urban/rural digital divide affects overall averages
European Nations (38-45 WPM)
| Country | Avg Speed | Keyboard | Key Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 40-44 WPM | QWERTZ | Excellent vocational training; natives handle umlauts fluently |
| France | 38-42 WPM | AZERTY | Accent marks (é, è) slow typing slightly; Pros aim for 50-60 WPM |
| Spain | 37-42 WPM | QWERTY (ES) | Includes ñ and accent keys; Growing tech sector |
| Nordics | 41-46 WPM | QWERTY (Var) | High tech adoption; education starts young |
| East Europe | 36-42 WPM | Various | Young digital natives significantly faster than older gen |
East Asia: Different Measurement Systems
China
25-35 WPM equivalentMeasured in Characters Per Minute (CPM) due to logographic system.
- Average: 40-60 CPM via Pinyin input
- Professional typists: 80-120 CPM
- Speed varies by input method (Wubi vs Pinyin)
Japan
25-35 WPM equivalent- Input involves convertion (Romaji → Kana/Kanji)
- Extra conversion steps reduce raw "word" count
- Skilled typists are very fast at character selection
South Korea
30-40 WPM equivalent- Hangul phonetic alphabet is efficient
- Younger generation extremely fast due to gaming/esports culture
- Professional standard: 50-60 WPM equivalent
Other Regions
Middle East & Arabic-Speaking Nations
Average: 28-38 WPM
- Right-to-left writing system and specialized layouts
- Connected letter forms require unique typing patterns
- Bilingual professionals: 35-45 WPM in English
- Israel: 38-44 WPM (High bilingual proficiency)
Latin America
- Brazil: 36-42 WPM (Portuguese with accents)
- Mexico: 35-40 WPM (US proximity influences QWERTY use)
- Argentina/Chile: 37-42 WPM (Correlates with higher education levels)
Southeast Asia
- Singapore: 40-45 WPM (Similar to Western averages)
- Malaysia: 36-42 WPM (English dominant in pros)
- Thailand/Vietnam/Indonesia: 32-38 WPM (Complex native scripts; English often faster)
Why Do Typing Speeds Vary?
1. Language Complexity
- Alphabet-based (English, German): Faster (direct mapping)
- Logographic (Chinese): Measured in CPM, requires conversion
- Complex Scripts (Arabic, Hindi): Visually complex, often slower
2. Keyboard Layouts
- QWERTY: Global standard baseline
- AZERTY (France): Major differences, harder for cross-typing
- Dvorak: 5-10% faster, but rare globally
3. Technology & Education
- Countries with formal typing in schools (Nordics, US) have higher averages.
- "Mobile-first" developing nations may have lower desktop speeds but high mobile speeds.
- Generational gap: Young people globally are 15-20 WPM faster than older workers.
Mobile vs Desktop: The Global Shift
A 2025 study reveals a closing gap betwen devices:
| Device | Avg Speed | Age 10-19 | Age 20-40 | Age 40+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop | 52 WPM | 48 WPM | 55 WPM | 42 WPM |
| Smartphone | 38 WPM | 42 WPM | 38 WPM | 28 WPM |
| Tablet | 35 WPM | 38 WPM | 35 WPM | 25 WPM |
Key Insight
Teenagers (10-19) type almost as fast on smartphones as on keyboards due to daily messaging habits!
Professional Standards by Country
| Country | Entry-Level | Professional | Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA / UK | 50 WPM | 60 WPM | 80+ WPM |
| India / Philippines | 45 WPM | 55 WPM | 70+ WPM |
| Australia | 40 WPM | 50 WPM | 75+ WPM |
| China | 60 CPM | 80 CPM | 120+ CPM |
Specific Government Requirements
- India (SSC): 35 WPM English, 30 WPM Hindi
- US (Court Reporting): 225 WPM (Stenotype)
- UK (Civil Service): 40-50 WPM typical
Fascinating Global Typing Facts
- 🏆 World Record: 212 WPM (Sean Wrona, USA)
- 🇨🇿 Fastest Burst: 216 WPM (Stella Pajunas, USA, 1946)
- 📱 Mobile Record: 85 WPM on smartphone (Brazil)
- 🌍 Multilingual: Some typists hit 60+ WPM in 7 layouts
- ⌨️ Esports: Korean pros avg 300-400 APM (~60-80 WPM equivalent)
Conclusion
While the global average is 40-42 WPM, your location, language, and profession play a huge role. English-speaking nations tend to have higher raw WPM averages due to simpler scripts and early tech adoption, but emerging tech hubs like India and the Philippines are closing the gap rapidly.
Key Takeaway: Regardless of your country's average, aiming for 50-60 WPM makes you competitive globally. Consistent practice can boost your speed by 15-25 WPM in just 3-6 months.
Compare Yourself
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