Typing speed is often measured in words per minute (wpm). 48 wpm is considered a decent typing speed for most people. However, whether or not 48 wpm is fast depends on who you’re comparing it to and the context.
Is 48 wpm fast for the average person?
For the average person who uses typing just for basic computer use, 48 wpm is on the faster side. According to various surveys and studies, the average typing speed for most adults ranges between 38-40 wpm.
Some key stats on average typing speed:
| Source | Average typing speed |
|---|---|
| TypingTest.com analysis of over 5 million tests | 38 wpm |
| Software Usability Research Laboratory study | 40 wpm |
| Workforce research on general proficiency | 38-40 wpm |
So compared to these averages, 48 wpm is about 20-25% faster. For most everyday computer users who don’t type for a living, 48 wpm would be considered a pretty good speed.
Is 48 wpm fast for professional typists?
For jobs that require fast and accurate typing, like transcription or data entry, 48 wpm is considered relatively slow. Here are some typical typing speed benchmarks for professional typists:
| Profession | Average typing speed |
|---|---|
| Data entry | 55-65 wpm |
| Medical transcription | 65-75 wpm |
| Court reporting | 200+ wpm |
As you can see, expectations for typing speed are much higher for many jobs. Data entry clerks and transcriptionists often have minimum requirements of 50+ wpm. And court reporters use specialized equipment to reach extremely fast speeds over 200 wpm.
So for most professionals who type for a living, 48 wpm would be considered relatively slow. Meeting the minimum speed requirements for a typing-heavy job typically requires practicing well beyond average typing abilities.
Is 48 wpm fast for programmers?
For programmers, typing speed is less important than for heavy data entry jobs. But coding still requires frequent typing to write code efficiently. Here are some general observations about programmer typing speed:
- Most programmers type 35-45 wpm on average.
- 70-80 wpm is considered a very good speed for programmers.
- Top programmers can reach 100+ wpm bursts when “in the zone” coding.
So compared to average programming typing speeds, 48 wpm is decently fast. However, it’s not as fast as the best coders who’ve specifically practiced speed typing in addition to programming.
How typing speed varies by age
Typing speed often depends heavily on age and when someone first learned to type:
- People ages 20-30 average 38-40 wpm if typing skills developed in childhood.
- People over age 50 average 20-30 wpm if typing skills developed in adulthood.
- Teens who grew up with computers and smartphones often reach 60+ wpm.
So 48 wpm may be considered very fast for an older adult but just average for a teenager. The age when you start keyboarding has a big impact on long-term typing speed.
What is considered a fast typing speed?
While there’s no definitive cutoff for a “fast” typing speed, here are some general benchmarks:
| Typing speed | Skill level |
|---|---|
| Below 35 wpm | Below average |
| 35-45 wpm | Average |
| 45-55 wpm | Above average |
| 55-65 wpm | Expert |
| 70-80 wpm | Professional typist |
| 80-90+ wpm | Highly elite |
Based on this table, at 48 wpm most would consider your typing ability above average but not elite. Reaching 70+ wpm would be getting into professional levels.
Factors that affect typing speed
Some key factors impact typing speed capability:
- Practice – Frequent typing improves muscle memory.
- Technique – Proper typing form and using all fingers.
- Experience – Years of typing builds speed.
- Age – Younger ages make it easier to develop skill.
- Education – Formal typing training helps initially.
- Hand size – Smaller hands can type faster.
- Computer setup – Mechanical keyboards and ergonomics help.
So while natural ability plays a role, putting effort into developing fast and accurate typing pays big dividends for productivity over time.
How to improve typing speed from 48 wpm
If you want to improve your typing speed from around 48 wpm, some tips include:
- Use online typing speed tests for practice.
- Focus on accuracy first, speed will follow.
- Practice proper typing form and technique.
- Work on typing fluidly without looking at keys.
- Set speed goals like reaching 60 wpm.
- Identify your slowest keys and practice those.
- Utilize typing practice software and games.
- Get a typing instructor if possible.
With regular practice sessions focused on continual improvement, you can increase your typing speed even as an adult. Set small goals like 1-5 wpm per week to steadily get faster.
Conclusion
A typing speed of 48 wpm is faster than the average for most people who don’t type for work. However, it is considered relatively slow for data entry and transcription jobs. For programmers, 48 wpm is a decent speed but not elite.
Typing ability varies heavily by age and experience. Factors like practice, technique and equipment make a big difference as well. If you want to improve from 48 wpm, dedicated training and drills can help increase your typing speed significantly.