How many characters is a word in WPM?

Five, including spaces and punctuation. This standard makes scores comparable regardless of how long the actual words were.

How do I convert WPM to KPH?

Multiply WPM by 5 (characters per word) and by 60 (minutes per hour). For example, 40 WPM × 5 × 60 = 12,000 keystrokes per hour.

What's the difference between net and gross WPM?

Gross WPM counts everything you typed. Net WPM subtracts errors (or counts only correct words), so it reflects usable output. Employers almost always care about net WPM.

WPM, CPM, KPH and Accuracy Explained

Typing speed comes in a confusing mix of units: WPM, net WPM, CPM, KPH, KDPH. They all describe the same thing, how quickly you produce correct text, from slightly different angles. Here's what each one means and how they relate.

WPM: words per minute

Because real words vary in length, typing tests define a "word" as 5 characters, including spaces and punctuation. So typing 250 characters in one minute is 50 WPM, whether those characters were short words or long ones.

Gross (raw) WPM = all characters typed ÷ 5 ÷ minutes.
Net WPM = correct output ÷ 5 ÷ minutes. Different tests calculate "correct output" differently: some subtract one word per uncorrected error per minute, others (like Typing Okay) count only the characters of correctly typed words.

Net WPM is the number employers ask for, because mistakes have to be found and fixed later.

Accuracy

Accuracy is the percentage of keystrokes that were correct. On Typing Okay it counts every keystroke, including ones you later fixed with backspace, so it's a true measure of how cleanly you type. Most job tests expect 95% or higher; data entry roles often expect 98%+.

CPM: characters per minute

Simply WPM × 5. Some tests, particularly in parts of Europe and Asia, report CPM because it doesn't need the "5 characters" convention. 300 CPM = 60 WPM.

KPH and KDPH: keystrokes per hour

For numbers and data entry, words don't make sense, so speed is counted in keystrokes per hour (KPH), sometimes called key depressions per hour (KDPH). Every digit, decimal point and press of Enter counts as a keystroke. Like WPM, KPH can be gross (everything) or net (correct keystrokes only).

Quick conversions

WPM	CPM	Keystrokes per hour
30	150	9,000
35	175	10,500
40	200	12,000
50	250	15,000
60	300	18,000
80	400	24,000

Formula: KPH = WPM × 5 × 60. Note that numeric 10-key tests are usually slower per keystroke than text typing, so 10,000 KPH on a numpad is a good score even though it "equals" only about 33 WPM.

Consistency

Consistency shows how steady your speed was from second to second. Typists with high consistency tend to be accurate and less fatigued. If yours is low, you're probably rushing easy words and stalling on hard ones. Aim for an even rhythm.

Which number should you quote?

On a CV, quote net WPM and accuracy from a test of at least 3 minutes, e.g. "62 WPM, 97% accuracy". For numeric roles, add your net 10-key KPH. Get both from the 5-minute typing test and the 10-key test, then back them up with a typing certificate.