Buzz
There are no secret tricks or shortcuts to typing faster. While this might sound disappointing, it means that anyone can improve their typing speed with consistent practice. Once you can type without looking at the keyboard, your speed will increase significantly. This skill isn't difficult to master, but it requires proper sitting posture and correct hand placement on the keys. With a bit of patience and persistence, you'll soon be typing at an impressive speed.
Steps
Correct Sitting Posture
Create a suitable typing environment. Aim to set up a comfortable, well-lit, and ventilated space for typing. Use a proper desk and chair instead of placing your laptop on your lap. Comfort is crucial if you plan to work for extended periods. Make sure to follow these guidelines before moving forward.
Adjust your posture. The correct typing posture involves sitting with your back straight and feet flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart. Position your wrists level with the keyboard so your fingers can easily reach the keys. Your head should tilt slightly downward when looking at the screen, with your eyes about 45-70 cm away from the monitor.
- Most office chairs are adjustable in height. Modify the chair until you achieve the correct seating position.
Avoid slouching. It’s crucial to maintain proper posture while working to prevent your body from gradually sinking. Keeping the correct posture ensures your wrists don’t tire, which can slow down your typing speed and disrupt your rhythm. Don’t hunch your shoulders or back; stay relaxed but maintain the right posture.
Position your fingers correctly
Get familiar with the keyboard. Most keyboards follow a standard layout called QWERTY, named after the first six letters on the top left. Some keyboards have alternative layouts designed for specific purposes.
- Most keys on the keyboard input the characters they display into the text area. Open a file and press various keys to see how they function.
- Memorize the locations of basic letters and punctuation marks. Knowing the key positions without looking is essential for faster typing.
Place your hands correctly. To type quickly, position your hands and fingers in a specific starting position, which they should return to during breaks. Your hands should be slightly angled. The right hand should tilt left at about 45 degrees, and the left hand should tilt right at 45 degrees. Your wrists should be slightly arched, with your fingers resting on the home row keys. The home row keys for proper hand placement are as follows:
- Left index finger on F, responsible for F, C, V, G, T, and 6.
- Left middle finger on D, responsible for D, R, 5, and X.
- Left ring finger on S, responsible for Z, E, 4, and 3.
- Left pinky on A, responsible for A, \, Caps Lock, 2, 1, W, Q, Tab, Shift, and Ctrl.
- Right index finger on J, responsible for 6, 7, U, J, N, M, H, Y, and B.
- Right middle finger on K, responsible for K, I, 8, and the comma.
- Right ring finger on L, responsible for L, period, O, and 9.
- Right pinky on the semicolon (;), responsible for semicolon, P, /, 0, ', -, =, [, ], #, Shift, Enter, Backspace, and Ctrl.
- Both thumbs rest on the Space bar.
Close your eyes and say the key names aloud as you press them. A great way to memorize key positions without looking is to focus on the screen and vocalize each letter as you type. This technique helps reinforce key locations. Continue this process until you no longer need to say the letters out loud.
Basic knowledge of touch typing
Measure your typing speed. There are several ways to gauge typing speed, often measured in words per minute (WPM). The easiest method is to search Google for “what's my WPM” and click on one of the top links to take a test.
- Use your initial score as a benchmark for future improvement.
- Sometimes, you might see scores measured in WAM (words a minute) instead of WPM. There’s no actual difference between the two terms.
- Remember that WPM scores are measured over a specific time frame. Typing more or less than the allotted time will affect your WPM, so stick to the chosen test and revisit it after practice to track progress.
Start slowly. The key to fast typing is steadily developing your skills, and touch typing (typing without looking) is the fastest method once mastered. If you’ve never touch-typed before, it will take some time to get used to it. However, once you can type without looking at the keyboard, your speed will improve significantly.
- This method may feel awkward at first, but with consistent practice, you’ll see progress.
- Try to limit finger movement to only the keys they are responsible for.
Stick to the practice routine and avoid looking at your hands. It’s crucial to avoid glancing at the keyboard to force your fingers to learn through repetition. If you find yourself looking down, cover your hands with a cloth.
- You might initially type slower, but stay persistent. Once you master touch typing, you’ll type faster than with traditional methods.
Practice and progress
Practice, practice, and practice. Mastering touch typing is a refined skill, but once your hands are correctly positioned and your posture is right, the only path forward is consistent practice. Dedicate a few minutes daily to touch typing to improve both speed and accuracy. Over time, your WPM score will gradually increase.
- If you spend 10 minutes each day typing continuously through a document, you’ll soon notice fewer errors and faster progress.
Practice with online games. Numerous websites offer typing games for practice. These games provide scores and track your WPM, allowing you to challenge your own records or compete with other online players.
Practice dictation. If you’re unsure what to type, a great way to practice is by listening and typing simultaneously. You can choose from countless sources, such as audiobooks, online lectures, or radio programs, making practice more engaging.
- TV shows are also a great option; let your imagination flow and make the practice process more enjoyable.
Track your progress. Regularly review your progress and monitor your scores weekly. You’ll soon notice improvement. Don’t get fixated on WPM alone; think about the comfort and ease that fast typing brings to your workflow.
Consider more structured practice programs. Many programs are designed to help you master touch typing. Most of these are courses or games that let you control your speed and accuracy. If you want to improve faster, consider investing in a dedicated program.
- Typing programs vary widely. Free online tutorials are abundant, and there are also free and paid programs available. Some programs are better than others, but all aim to enhance typing speed.
- Ultimately, your progress depends on the time you dedicate to practice.
Don’t give up. Stay persistent, and over time you’ll catch up to the fastest typists, those with WPM scores of 150 or even 200. Strong typing skills are valuable for work and study. The faster and more accurately you type, the quicker you’ll complete tasks.
Tips
- Keep your eyes on the screen while typing, even if there’s no text displayed. Learn to trust your fingers.
- Watch the screen to catch errors as you type along with the audio.
- Remember the positions of the keys so you won’t need to look at the keyboard anymore.
- Software like AutoHotkey or Mywe can help you type faster.
- Stay consistent. It takes a lot of practice to become a fast typist.
Warnings
- Incorrect sitting posture can lead to RSI (repetitive strain injury). This is harmful to your body and should be avoided.
- Ensure regular breaks and remember to stretch your arms, wrists, and fingers.
