Ways to Improve Typing Speed

Find a keyboard that you are most comfortable with. Keyboards come in many shapes, including ergonomic models designed to make typing comfortable. If the keyboard you’re using isn’t working, you can try a number of ergonomic keyboards to find out which makes working most comfortable for you. ^[1]

• Note the size of the keys. The larger the key, the easier it is to type. This means that you need to find a keyboard that has frequently used keys (such as letters and numbers) that are larger than the others. ^[2]
• A keyboard with recessed keys that match the shape of your fingertips is a good choice if you’re looking to eliminate typographical errors when trying to increase speed.
• Ideally, you should choose a keyboard with keys that respond to the touch well, that is, keys that generate enough resistance to tell you that your typing has been recorded. This force also prevents you from accidentally hitting keys while typing, so you can type faster.

Get familiar with the keyboard. Most keyboards have a standard layout, but some have different characteristics or arrangements. You should read the instructions that came with the keyboard carefully to know the function of all the keys and the useful shortcuts. Once you understand the function of the keys, visualize the layout of the keyboard in your head so that you can recall it as you type. ^[3]

• Many keyboards are equipped with time-saving keys, i.e. shortcuts to common commands or keystrokes. Study keyboard shortcuts to speed up your typing.

Place the fingers in the correct position. The most important step to improving typing speed is to make sure your fingers are in the right place on the keyboard. Place the index finger of the left hand on the “F” key and the index finger of the right hand on the “J” key. These two keys often have raised edges, so you can feel them without looking at the keyboard. The remaining three fingers of the left hand will rest on the “A,” “S,” and “D” keys, while the remaining three fingers of the right hand will rest on the “K,” “L,” and “;”. Two thumbs on the spacebar. ^[4]

• Key row “A,” “S,” “D,” “F,” “J,” “K,” “L,” and “;” called the “home keys”, because that’s always where your fingers come from and back as you type.
• Curl your fingers slightly when placed on the keyboard, but still relax your hand.
• Make sure to place the keyboard straight in front of you.

Use the correct fingers to type other keys. When you type, you will type all the keys on the keyboard from the original position. This means that certain fingers are responsible for typing certain keys for optimal performance. In most cases, you’ll use the same fingers from the “home” row to type the keys on the top and bottom rows. ^[5]

• Type the “1,” “2,” “Q,” “Z” and “A” keys with the little finger of your left hand.
• Type the “3,” “W,” “X” and “S” keys with the ring finger of your left hand.
• Type the “4,” “E,” “C” and “D” keys with the middle finger of your left hand.
• Type the “5,” “6,” “R,” “T,” “G,” “V,” “B” and “F” keys with the index finger of your left hand.
• Type the “7,” “Y,” “U,” “H,” “N,” “M” and “J” keys with the index finger of your right hand.
• Type the “8,” “I,” “,” and “J” keys with the middle finger of your right hand.
• Type “9,” “O,” “.” And the “L” key with the ring finger of the right hand.
• Type “0,” “-,” “=,” “P,” “[,” “],” “’,” “/” key and “;” key. with the little finger of the right hand.
• Press the “Shift” key with the little finger of the hand opposite to the hand you are using to type another key.
• Type the spacebar with whichever thumb you find more comfortable.

Regular practice. As with most skills, the only way to improve typing speed is to practice regularly. The more you practice, the more you will master the layout of the keyboard and the correct placement of the fingers. You’ll also develop muscle memory when typing common letter combinations, so you’ll type faster and more accurately. ^[6]

• One of the best practices is to type over and over again a piece of sample text. You can find many pieces of text on the internet that improve typing speed and accuracy.
• When training, focus on accuracy first. Make sure all letters, spaces, and punctuation are typed correctly. When you feel you have typed correctly, you can practice increasing the speed.
• Practice isn’t just about taking online typing tests. Writing emails to family and friends, and posting comments on online forums can also help you sharpen your skills and speed up your typing.

Take time off to rest. While practice is key to improving typing speed, taking time off is also essential. If you push yourself too much, you run the risk of burnout, or worse, injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome. When you start to feel discomfort in your hands and wrists, you need to stop typing for a while and give yourself time to rest. ^[7]

• To avoid overwork, you should set a practice schedule by setting aside a certain amount of time each day for practice. Don’t forget to include breaks in your schedule. For example, you might decide to type for 30 minutes a day, with every 10 minute break.