Typing is a skill used in many careers, so improving your speed may be a necessity if you want to be more competent in your job. Increasing your typing speed is something you can do on your own or with proper training, but whatever you decide to do, you must commit to practicing every day if you want to improve your skills.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Improve Your Typing Technique
Step 1. Find a keyboard that you are comfortable with
Keyboards come in different shapes, including ergonomic models that might feel more comfortable while typing. If you don't type effectively with your current keyboard, you could try some ergonomic keyboards until you find one that offers more comfort while you work.
- Keep the size of the keys in mind. The larger they are, the easier it will be to type. This means that you may want to find a keyboard where the keys you use most often, such as letters and numbers, are larger than others.
- A keyboard with concave keys that match the shape of your fingers is a good option if you are looking to eliminate typing errors while trying to increase speed.
- It's best to choose a keyboard with keys that have strong tactile feedback, meaning they offer enough resistance to alert you that the touch has been registered. Resistance also prevents you from accidentally pressing other keys while typing so you can type faster.
Step 2. Get familiar with the keyboard
While most keyboards have a fairly standard layout, some may have different features or layouts. Make sure you read the instructions or manual that came with your keyboard so that you know what all the keys do and what shortcuts would be useful to you. Once you understand what all the keys do, try to create a visual layout of the keyboard in your mind that you can refer to when typing.
Many keyboards are equipped with keys that provide shortcuts for common keystrokes or commands to save you time. Make sure to read up on your keyboard shortcuts to help increase your speed
Step 3. Position your fingers properly
The most important step in improving your typing is to make sure you place your fingers correctly on the keyboard. Rest the index finger of your left hand on the F key and your right hand on the J key. These two keys usually have slight bumps on their surface that you can feel without actually looking at the keyboard. The other three fingers of your left hand should be resting on the A, S and D keys, while the other three fingers of your right hand should be resting on the K, L and Ñ keys. Place your thumbs on the space bar.
- The row with the A, S, D, F, J, K, L, and Ñ keys is known as the starting position because it is the row where your fingers always start and return to while typing.
- When placing your fingers on the keyboard, curve them slightly, but keep your hands relaxed.
- Make sure the keyboard is centered directly in front of your body.
Step 4. Use the correct fingers to press the other keys
When you type, you will press all the keys from the starting position. This means that certain fingers are designated to press certain keys in order to make typing more efficient. In most cases, you will use the same fingers from the starting position to press the keys that line up in the top and bottom rows.
- Press the 1, 2, Q, and Z keys, in addition to the A key, with your left pinky.
- Press the 3, W, and X keys, in addition to the S key, with your left ring finger.
- Press the 4, E and C keys, in addition to the D key, with your left middle finger.
- Press the 5, 6, R, T, G, V, and B keys, in addition to the F key, with your left index finger.
- Press the 7, Y, U, H, N, and M keys, in addition to the J key, with your right index finger.
- Press the 8, I, and "," keys, in addition to the J key, with your right middle finger.
- Press the 9, O, and "." Keys, in addition to the L key, with your right ring finger.
- Press the 0, "'", "¿", P, "´", "+", "{" and "-" keys, in addition to the Ñ key, with the right little finger.
- Press the "Shift" key with the little finger of the hand opposite the finger you use to press the other key.
- Press the space bar with the thumb that feels most comfortable.
Step 5. Practice regularly
As with most skills, the only way to really improve your typing skills is with constant practice. The more you type, the more comfortable you will be with the keyboard layout and proper finger position. You will also build muscle memory by typing common letter combinations so that your typing becomes faster and more accurate.
- One of the best ways to practice is to type sample snippets over and over again. You can find quite a few snippets online that are designed to improve your typing accuracy and speed.
- When practicing, focus on precision first. Make sure to type each word correctly, and to get the correct spacing and punctuation. Once you feel like your typing has gotten more accurate, you can work on improving speed.
- Practice doesn't just mean taking typing tests online. Writing emails to friends and family, posting to online forums, and playing typing games online can help you refine your typing skills and increase your speed.
Step 6. Take regular breaks
While practicing is the key to improving your typing speed, be sure to take breaks as needed. If you push yourself too hard, you run the risk of exhausting yourself or worse, suffering an injury like carpal tunnel syndrome. When you start to feel any discomfort in your hands or wrists, stop typing for a while to give yourself time to rest.
To avoid overworking, set up a practice schedule by designating a certain amount of time each day to practice typing. However, incorporate breaks into your schedule to keep cool. For example, you can choose to type 30 minutes a day, taking breaks around every 10 minutes
Method 2 of 3: Improve Your Speed
Step 1. Keep your eyes on the screen
Your natural instinct may be to look at the keyboard when typing. However, looking at the keyboard actually slows down your typing speed and increases the possibility of errors. When typing, keep your eyes on the screen instead. You may see a slight increase in errors when you first start using this method, but you will quickly learn the keyboard layout and the position of the keys, which will improve your typing.
- When learning to type without looking at the keyboard, consider covering your hands with a cloth or a piece of paper or cardboard so that you can't see the keys even if you try.
- While you should try to keep your gaze on the computer screen as much as possible, it is okay to occasionally cheat and look at the keyboard to make sure you know where the keys are.
Step 2. Use online typing tests
If you want to see how efficient your typing is, you can use a variety of online typing tests and programs to see how you rate yourself. In most cases, you will be asked to type a certain piece of text and the website will take the time to determine how many words per minute (wpm) you type and how accurately you type. These programs are an effective way to monitor your progress as you work to improve your typing.
Some online typing tests are available for free at Typing.com, TypingMaster, and TypingWeb
Step 3. Use typing programs and games
If you type using touch instead of sight, you can do it more quickly. That is why typing programs are useful, as they help you hone your skills so you can acquire greater speed. They usually include useful exercises and even fun games that allow you to increase your typing speed in a more fun way.
- While you can purchase these programs for real money, there are also a number of free programs such as TypingClub, Klavaro, Typing Tutor, and Rapid Typing.
- If you've already learned the basics of typing, use online games to help you improve this, so that it is easier for you to commit to improving your speed.
Step 4. Take a class
If you've tried to improve your typing on your own and haven't seen the results you want, you may want to take a typing or keyboarding class. Instructors can make sure you know the proper finger position and posture to type quickly and accurately. If you are in high school or college, find out if your school offers a class. If you're not studying, a local institute or continuing education program might have a typing course that could help you.
If there is no typing course available in your area, there are online programs that may be helpful to you. You won't have the opportunity to get help in person, but the instruction can still help you improve your typing
Method 3 of 3: Improve Your Posture and Positioning
Step 1. Make sure your back is supported
When typing, it is important to choose a chair that supports your back. The best type of chair is one that includes a slightly curved back to help maintain the natural curvature of your spine. It is also helpful to use a chair that has a built-in cushion near the bottom of the back to provide support for the lower back.
- You may prefer to lean back slightly in your chair to help take the pressure off your back. However, keep in mind that typing in a reclined position can strain your shoulders and neck. Moving the chair closer to the desk may help to alleviate some of this strain.
- If your chair doesn't have a built-in lower back cushion, you can place a small pillow between your back and the chair to provide additional support.
Step 2. Relax your neck and shoulders
When sitting in the typing chair, be sure to keep your shoulders and neck relaxed. In most cases, you can do this by leaning against the back of the chair. This will help support your neck and shoulders so you don't have to put pressure on them to keep them straight.
If you are not sure that your shoulders are relaxed, breathe in and out slowly. The position in which your shoulders naturally fall when breathing is generally relaxed
Step 3. Keep your elbows close to your sides
As you get more comfortable in the chair, be sure to keep your elbows close to your sides. You may want to use a chair that has adjustable armrests that make it easier for you to keep your elbows comfortably at your sides.
You don't have to use the chair armrests if you don't want to. Just make sure your elbows stay close to your sides even without the added support
Step 4. Place your feet firmly on the ground
Once you are comfortable in your chair, it helps to sit upright with your feet planted firmly on the floor so that your lower body is supported. Crossing your legs or bending one under you makes it more difficult to maintain correct posture. If you have a chair with an adjustable seat, adjust the height until your feet comfortably reach the floor.
If your chair doesn't have an adjustable seat, you may want to buy an ergonomic footrest that makes it easier for you to keep your feet flat
Step 5. Keep your wrists and palms off the desk
When typing, you can work faster and more accurately if you avoid resting your wrists or palms on the desk or other surface that the keyboard is on. Keep them elevated, but don't bend them up or down as this can cause discomfort. Instead, keep your wrists in a neutral position with your thumb aligned with your forearm and your wrist slightly tilted back so that it is level with the keyboard.
- Some keyboards and keyboard trays are equipped with wrist pads, but they are not there for you to support your wrists when typing. They're only there for short breaks when you're not typing. If you must rest your hand on the pad, try placing your palm on it instead of your wrist.
- If your chair has adjustable armrests, position them so that your forearms are parallel to the floor and your wrist is in a neutral position.
Step 6. Make sure the keyboard is at the correct height
To type most effectively, the keyboard should be just above the level of your lap, which is much lower than the height at which most people place their keyboards. The benefit of placing the keyboard at this height is that it allows you to bend your arms down so that your elbows are at a 90 degree open angle.
- You may want to invest in an adjustable keyboard and mouse tray that you can attach to your desk or work surface. This will allow you to position the keyboard at the most comfortable height.
- If you don't have a keyboard tray, try adjusting the height of the chair to make your position more comfortable.