Why measuring your typing speed and getting a WPM certificate matters, and how to choose the right test

Let's work out why it's worth taking a typing speed test in the first place, who actually needs a WPM certificate and in what circumstances, and — most crucially — which test to go for: 1, 2, or 5 minutes.

What a WPM certificate is and what it does for you

A typing speed certificate — is a document that verifies how quickly and how accurately you type. It sets out your name, your score in WPM (or characters per minute), your accuracy percentage, and the date you sat the test. In short, it's concrete, objective evidence of a skill that you'd otherwise have to rely on simply telling a prospective employer about.

And that word «objective» is the crux of it. Anyone can put «competent computer user» or «fast typist» on their CV. A certificate converts that claim into a specific, verifiable figure.

Argument 1. Many employers simply require one

This isn't a scare story dreamt up by a marketing department — for a wide range of roles, a typing speed test is a formal condition of employment. Here are genuine examples.

Civil service

• In California, candidates for clerical posts such as Office Assistant (Typing) and Office Technician (Typing) must present a certificate obtained from a 5-minute test with a minimum score of 40 WPM.
• Federal administrative posts in the US (the OPM standard) require 35–40 WPM, whilst the British Civil Service and the NHS require 50–60 WPM.
• The civil services of Canada and Australia assess not only speed but also accuracy — «quick but error-prone» simply won't do. In India, a typing test is a standard component of Staff Selection Commission examinations.

Data entry and customer support

For data entry specialists, the typical benchmark is 50–60 WPM at 95% accuracy or above, and for live chat agents and support staff it's 50–65 WPM. This is perhaps where employers test candidates most regularly: typing speed has a direct bearing on how many customers a person can deal with in a single shift.

Highly specialised roles

• Court stenographers in the US sit NCRA certification with requirements of 180–225 WPM — that's a professional category all of its own, but it illustrates just how seriously the skill is taken in contexts where an error carries real consequences.

Incidentally, Ratatype is recognised as a reputable provider of such certificates alongside Typing.com and TypingTest.com, so a certificate issued by us is accepted as valid proof.

We've already gone into considerable detail about exactly who needs a typing certificate for work — if your intended role appears on that list, it's well worth preparing ahead of time.

Tip: even if a job advert states no explicit requirement, you can never be entirely certain the subject won't come up at interview. Five minutes for a test is a small outlay for genuine peace of mind.

Argument 2. A certificate bolsters your CV and LinkedIn profile

Picture two candidates with equivalent experience. One simply lists «strong written communication, meticulous attention to detail» on their CV. The other has the same, plus the line «Typing speed: 65 WPM, 98% accuracy (Ratatype certificate)». Which candidate is the recruiter going to remember?

A certificate pulls its weight in several places at once:

• On your CV and covering letter — as a tangible, measurable competency in the Skills section. Particularly valuable for administrative, remote-working, and entry-level positions, where experience may still be limited but you need to demonstrate what you're capable of.
• On your LinkedIn profile — you can share the certificate as a standalone post or add it to your achievements section. It signals digital competence and shows that you take your professional tools seriously.
• At interview — whilst most candidates deal in generalities, a concrete figure sets you apart and spares the employer any unnecessary uncertainty.

The key point is this: a certificate requires no degree, no training course, and no years of prior experience. It's a skill you can substantiate in a matter of minutes, and it carries real weight on a CV. If you've never sat a test before — there's no time like the present.

Argument 3. The test reveals your genuine level

Even if you have no immediate need for a certificate, the test is worth doing for at least one reason — to get an honest picture of where you stand. Most people are remarkably poor judges of their own typing speed: some sell themselves short, whilst others are quite convinced they type «quickly» until they actually see the figure.

Based on our data from over 506,000 tests, the median sits at around 35 words per minute. For many office tasks that's perfectly adequate, but getting from there to a genuinely comfortable level (60+ WPM) still requires considerable effort. A 5-minute test will make it abundantly clear:

• where you currently stand — anywhere from «hunt-and-peck» to the top 5% of proficient typists;
• whether it's worth putting in the time to boost your speed, or whether that's no longer your limiting factor;
• where your weak point lies — speed, accuracy, or a combination of both.

Think of it as stepping on the scales before drawing up a fitness plan. Without an initial figure, you won't be able to track progress and you'll lose motivation quickly. But once the number is staring back at you, the drive to improve it tends to follow naturally.

4 further reasons to take the test today

Beyond the three main arguments, there are a handful of additional reasons that tend to get less of a mention:

1. Objective proof of competence. The test measures the skill itself — irrespective of your qualifications, age, or work history. For an employer it's a fair basis for comparing candidates, and for you it's a chance to get ahead on merit rather than contacts.
2. Saving time — yours and your employer's. A quick typist gets through more work per shift and experiences less fatigue. According to our calculations, increasing from 35 to 60 WPM saves someone who spends several hours a day at the keyboard roughly 20 working days a year.
3. Motivation and progress tracking. Regular tests transform the vague aspiration of «I want to type faster» into a concrete contest against your own personal bests. Watching 38 WPM climb to 55 is the most effective incentive to keep practising.
4. A pressure test of the skill. Timed typing demonstrates how well you maintain both speed and accuracy under pressure — which is precisely what real work with a looming deadline looks like.

Which test to sit: 1, 2, or 5 minutes?

This question matters more than it might appear, because the duration of the test has a direct bearing on your result.

• The 1-minute test — is a sprint. You have enough time to hit your stride and produce a near-peak result, but not enough to tire. That's precisely why your speed over one minute is typically 10–20 WPM higher than over a longer stretch. It's ideal for a daily warm-up, a quick self-assessment, or when you fancy a bit of friendly competition.
• The 2-minute test — is the happy medium for practice. Fatigue is already beginning to tell, which makes the result more honest than the one-minute version, whilst still not taking up much time. A solid format for keeping regular tabs on progress during the learning phase.
• The 5-minute test — is the one to go for if you need a certificate. That's no coincidence: employers often opt for 5 minutes quite deliberately, because what they're interested in isn't a one-off burst of speed but your ability to sustain a consistent pace throughout the working day. That same Californian civil service specifically requires a certificate from a 5-minute test. Someone who claims 80 WPM on the strength of a one-minute result will, in all likelihood, struggle badly during a real 8-hour shift where 80 WPM is expected.

The conclusion is straightforward:

• want to warm up, gauge your ceiling, or pit yourself against others — 1 minute;
• in training and after an honest snapshot of progress — 2 minutes;
• need a certificate for your CV, LinkedIn, or an employer — 5 minutes is the better choice.

Ratatype offers all of these formats: a quick test for self-assessment and a full 5-minute test that generates a certificate on the basis of your result.

How to obtain a certificate on Ratatype

It takes literally just a few minutes:

1. Open the test page and sit the 5-minute test.
2. Receive a certificate bearing your name, your WPM score, your accuracy, and the date — available in 10 languages.
3. Not satisfied with your result? Practise on the trainer and resit the test whenever you like — the certificate will be retained for your best result.

There's no cap on the number of attempts: you can always come back, work on your speed, and update your certificate with a more recent and impressive result.

Get a WPM certificate

Frequently asked questions

Is a WPM certificate genuinely necessary for a job?

For certain roles — yes, it's listed directly in the job requirements (civil service, data entry, customer support, administrative positions). For others it's not compulsory, but it becomes a considerable asset on your CV and at interview.

Which test should you sit for a certificate — 1, 2, or 5 minutes?

For a certificate — the 5-minute test is the better option. It reflects your genuine working stamina, whereas shorter tests tend to inflate your score and are better suited to warming up and practice.

What typing speed is considered good?

For office roles — typically 40–60 WPM at 95% accuracy or above; for data entry and support positions — 60 WPM and upwards. The median among Ratatype users is around 35 WPM, so the majority of people have significant room for improvement.

Can you add the certificate to LinkedIn and your CV?

Yes. This is particularly useful for administrative, remote-working, and entry-level positions. You can share the certificate as a social media post and add it to your LinkedIn profile.

What should you do if your result is disappointing?

Don't be disheartened — typing speed is a trainable skill. Practise on the Ratatype trainer for 15 minutes a day and resit the test when you're ready. The certificate can always be updated to reflect a better result.

Not sure of your level? Find out right now — it's free and takes less time than a tea break.

Take the test on Ratatype