WPM
Technology & Computing abbreviation · Computer
| Stands for | Words per minute |
|---|---|
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
| Also written | wpm |
WPM stands for Words per minute, a computer abbreviation also used in measurement.
Measure of typing, reading or speaking speed; in typing tests a "word" is standardized as five characters, including spaces. Average adult typists reach roughly 40 WPM, while professional transcriptionists commonly exceed 70.
Example: My typing test score went from 52 to 75 WPM after a month of practice.
Usage notes
Typing tests usually report net WPM, which subtracts errors from gross speed. The five-character word makes scores comparable across texts. Adult silent reading in English is often estimated at 200 to 300 WPM, and conversational speech at about 120 to 160 WPM. Morse code operators also measure speed in WPM, using the word "PARIS" as the standard.
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