The formulas
A standard "word" is five characters, spaces and punctuation included.
Gross WPM = (characters ÷ 5) ÷ minutesNet WPM = gross WPM − (errors ÷ minutes)Accuracy ≈ (words − errors) ÷ words × 100KPH = characters ÷ minutes × 60
If you enter words instead of characters, the calculator treats each as a standard five-character word, so the result is only as exact as your word count. Accuracy here is an estimate from errors left in the text; the typing test measures it from every key you press. More in how WPM is calculated.
Example
You typed 1,250 characters in 5 minutes and left 4 errors. That is 250 words, so 50 gross WPM. Four errors over five minutes take off 0.8 WPM, which gives 49.2 net WPM and an accuracy of about 98%.
Rather not count? Let the typing test measure you.
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How do I calculate my typing speed?
Count the characters you typed, spaces included, and divide by 5 to get "words". Divide that by the minutes you typed for: that is gross WPM. Subtract the uncorrected errors per minute to get net WPM.
What is the difference between gross and net WPM?
Gross WPM counts everything you typed. Net WPM takes off one word per minute for every error you left in, so it reflects usable work. Employers usually mean net WPM.
How do I convert WPM to KPH?
With five characters to a word, 1 WPM is 5 keystrokes a minute, or 300 keystrokes an hour. So 40 WPM is about 12,000 KPH. Ten-key tests on numbers are usually measured in KPH directly.
How many words is 1,000 characters?
About 200 standard words (1,000 ÷ 5), whatever the real word lengths are.