When you practise typing, it is tempting to focus on one number: your words per minute (WPM). A higher score feels like progress, especially when you are trying to reach 50, 60, or even 100 WPM.

However, speed is only one part of effective typing. If you type quickly but make frequent mistakes, your actual progress may be limited by corrections, pauses, and inconsistent finger movements.

So, when improving your typing skills, should you focus on accuracy or speed first?

For most learners, the best approach is to build reliable accuracy first, then increase speed gradually while continuing to monitor both. You do not need perfect accuracy before practising faster typing. You need enough control to improve your speed without allowing mistakes to become your normal pattern.

In this guide, you will learn the difference between typing speed and accuracy, how to identify your main weakness, and how to practise both skills with a simple routine.

What Is the Difference Between Typing Speed and Accuracy?

Typing speed and typing accuracy measure different aspects of your performance.

What Is Typing Speed?

Typing speed is commonly measured in words per minute (WPM). It indicates how quickly you can enter text during a typing test.

For example, a result of 40 WPM means your measured typing speed is 40 words per minute under that test's scoring method.

Your result can vary depending on the test duration, text difficulty, punctuation, and scoring rules. This is why you should compare results from similar tests instead of treating every score as directly equivalent.

What Is Typing Accuracy?

Typing accuracy measures how much of your typed text matches the expected text correctly.

For example, if your typing test reports 96% accuracy, it indicates that you typed with a high level of correctness according to that test's calculation.

Errors can include incorrect letters, missed characters, extra characters, or other differences, depending on the test.

High accuracy helps you produce cleaner text with fewer corrections. It is particularly important when typing assignments, emails, reports, code, or other text where mistakes matter.

Typing Speed vs. Accuracy at a Glance

Different typing tests may calculate and display these metrics differently. Always check the scoring method when comparing results across tools.

Should You Focus on Accuracy or Speed First?

The answer depends on what is limiting your performance.

1. Focus on Accuracy if You Make Frequent Mistakes

If you regularly press the wrong keys, miss letters, or rely on backspace, start by improving control.

Typing faster will not automatically correct these habits. In some cases, increasing your pace before you can reliably hit the intended keys simply creates more errors.

Try slowing down enough to type each word correctly. Pay attention to the keys that repeatedly cause trouble, and practise those combinations separately.

Your immediate goal is not to achieve the highest possible WPM. It is to build a typing pattern that you can repeat without constantly correcting yourself.

2. Focus on Speed if Your Accuracy Is Already Consistent

If you usually type accurately but your WPM has stopped improving, you may benefit from gradual speed training.

For example, if you consistently achieve good accuracy at 35 WPM, try short exercises at a slightly faster pace. Do not jump immediately to an unrealistic target.

Keep your hands relaxed, maintain a steady rhythm, and monitor whether your accuracy drops significantly.

If errors increase sharply, reduce your pace and work on the letter combinations that are slowing you down.

3. Train Both if Your Results Fluctuate

Some typists are accurate during slow exercises but make many mistakes during timed tests. Others type quickly for a few seconds but struggle to maintain their pace.

These patterns suggest that you need a combination of accuracy drills and controlled speed practice.

Use a short accuracy exercise first, followed by a timed test. Review the results and decide what to practise next.

Why Accuracy Can Help You Improve Your Typing Speed

Accuracy and speed are connected. When you make an error, you may need to stop, locate the mistake, correct it, and resume typing.

These interruptions can affect your rhythm and reduce the amount of correct text you produce.

Accurate practice also helps you become more familiar with keyboard layouts and common letter combinations. With repetition, the correct movements can become more automatic, reducing the need to consciously search for keys.

Consider this illustrative example:

• Typist A: Types quickly but frequently makes errors and stops to correct them.

• Typist B: Types at a more controlled pace with fewer mistakes and maintains a steady rhythm.

Typist A may achieve a higher raw speed in some tests, but Typist B may produce cleaner text with fewer interruptions. Which result is better depends on the task and the test's scoring method.

The goal is not to remain slow forever. It is to develop enough accuracy that you can increase your pace without losing control.

How to Identify What Is Holding You Back

Before changing your practice routine, establish a baseline.

Step 1: Take a Typing Test

Open MonkeyTyping and take a timed typing test.

The site offers 15-, 30-, and 60-second test options. Choose one duration and use the same duration when checking your progress later.

Step 2: Record Your Results

Write down the metrics available after your test:

• WPM

• Raw WPM

• Accuracy

• Consistency

Do not focus on WPM alone. Your other results may help explain why your typing speed is not improving.

Step 3: Identify Your Main Weakness

Use the following guide to decide what to practise.

These are general troubleshooting suggestions, not rigid diagnostic rules. Your test method and typing habits can affect the pattern you see.

Step 4: Repeat the Test After Practice

After a focused practice session, take another test with the same duration and similar difficulty.

A single result may fluctuate. Compare several sessions to see whether your accuracy, WPM, and consistency are improving together.

Five Practical Exercises to Improve Accuracy and Speed

Exercise 1: Slow, Accurate Typing

Choose a short paragraph and type it at a comfortable pace.

Concentrate on pressing the correct keys instead of trying to beat your previous score. If you repeatedly make the same error, pause and practise that key combination.

Recommended practice time: 3–5 minutes.

Exercise 2: Practise Difficult Letter Combinations

Some words are harder to type because they contain unfamiliar sequences, repeated letters, or combinations that require awkward finger transitions.

Identify the words or sequences that cause you the most hesitation. Practise them in short sets, then return to full sentences.

Avoid repeating only easy words. Your weakest combinations often provide the most useful practice opportunities.

Recommended practice time: 3–5 minutes.

Exercise 3: Build a Steady Rhythm

Typing involves more than pressing keys quickly. Long pauses and sudden bursts can make your performance inconsistent.

Choose a short passage and try to maintain a comfortable, even pace. Focus on smooth transitions between words rather than accelerating whenever you encounter an easy section.

Recommended practice time: 3 minutes.

Exercise 4: Add Controlled Speed Bursts

Once your accuracy is reasonably consistent, try brief periods of faster typing.

For example, type at your normal pace, then spend 15–20 seconds pushing slightly faster. Return to your normal pace if your errors increase too much.

The purpose is to explore a faster pace without turning the entire session into a race.

Recommended practice time: 2–3 minutes.

Exercise 5: Review Your Errors

After a test, identify which mistakes occurred most often.

Ask yourself:

• Did I press neighbouring keys?

• Did I miss letters in longer words?

• Did I lose my rhythm when punctuation appeared?

• Did I make more errors when I tried to type faster?

• Did I look down at the keyboard frequently?

Use your answers to choose the next exercise. This makes your practice more targeted than simply taking test after test.

Recommended practice time: 2 minutes.

A Simple 15-Minute Typing Practice Routine

You do not need to spend hours practising every day. A focused routine can help you identify weaknesses and build better habits.

Use this routine regularly and adjust it according to your results.

If your accuracy is still inconsistent, spend more time on accurate typing. If your accuracy remains stable and you want to increase WPM, gradually introduce more speed-focused practice.

The goal is to make each session useful, not to force a specific score every day.

How to Track Your Progress on MonkeyTyping.net

A typing test is most useful when you use its results to guide your next practice session.

On Monkey Typing, choose a 15-, 30-, or 60-second test and review the available performance metrics after completing it.

For example, imagine a learner records these illustrative results:

• Before practice: 34 WPM with 92% accuracy.

• After targeted practice: 33 WPM with 96% accuracy.

These figures are hypothetical, not actual MonkeyTyping.net test results.

Although the second WPM score is slightly lower, the accuracy result has improved. The learner can now work on increasing speed while trying to maintain that better control.

In another session, a learner might improve both WPM and accuracy. Progress does not always follow the same pattern, so focus on trends across several comparable tests rather than judging yourself by one result.

For a more complete picture, record the test duration, WPM, Raw WPM, accuracy, and consistency when available.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Chasing a High WPM Score Every Time

Trying to beat your record in every session can encourage rushed typing. Include accuracy-focused practice rather than making every exercise a speed competition.

Practising Without Reviewing Errors

Taking repeated tests without understanding your mistakes can make practice less effective. Spend a little time identifying what caused your errors.

Changing Test Conditions Too Often

A 15-second test and a 60-second test measure performance over different periods. Compare like with like whenever possible.

Expecting Immediate Results

Typing is a skill that develops through repetition. Your results may improve, remain stable, or fluctuate from one session to another.

Ignoring Comfort and Technique

Keep your shoulders relaxed, avoid unnecessary tension, and use a comfortable hand position. If you experience persistent pain or numbness, stop and seek appropriate professional advice.

Final Thoughts

Typing accuracy and speed are not competing goals. They work together to help you type efficiently.

If mistakes are slowing you down, focus on correct keystrokes and identify the patterns behind your errors. If your accuracy is already consistent, use controlled speed exercises to improve your pace.

Measure both skills, review your results, and make small adjustments to your practice routine.

Ready to put these tips into practice? Take a Monkeytyping test on, record your WPM and accuracy, and use the results to plan your next session.

If your speed is stuck around 30–40 WPM, read our guide to why your typing speed is stuck at 30–40 WPM and how to improve it.