How long does it take to type a page? Times by typing speed

With a standard 12 point font and 1 inch margins:

• Double-spaced: about 250 words per page (common for school essays).
• Single-spaced: about 500 words per page (common for reports and letters).

Bigger fonts, headings, lists and short paragraphs all lower the count, so treat these as averages.

Pure typing time at a steady speed, with no breaks or editing:

Divide the number of words by your typing speed. Words / WPM = minutes. For example, a 1,200 word essay at 48 WPM takes 1,200 / 48 = 25 minutes of typing.

Use your net WPM (after mistakes) from a test of 3 minutes or more, such as the 3 minute typing test. Short tests tend to give a higher number than you can hold for a whole page.

The table is typing time only. In practice, add time for:

• Thinking and writing: composing your own text is much slower than copying. Many people write original text at a third to a half of their test speed.
• Editing: fixing typos, rewording and formatting.
• Transcription: pausing and rewinding audio. A common estimate is that one hour of clear audio takes about four hours to transcribe.

For copy typing, such as data entry or retyping a printed page, the table is a good guide. Try it with our printable typing paragraphs.

• Learn to touch type so your eyes stay on the text you are copying or writing.
• Keep accuracy above 95%. Going back to fix mistakes is the biggest hidden time cost.
• Build stamina with longer tests, like the 2 page typing test or the 10 minute typing test.
• Drill the keys that slow you down with smart practice.