Master Touch Typing: Top 8 Tools and Tutorials to Skyrocket Your Speed

Mastering touch typing can transform your productivity, elevating speeds from 10 words per minute (WPM) to 40+ WPM—or even 100 WPM like professional typists. In my experience testing dozens of tools over the years, combining touch typing with speed reading is essential for thriving in the digital age.

Surprisingly, touch typing predates computers. As Wikipedia confirms (and I've verified), Frank Edward McGurrin invented it in 1878 by teaching himself to type without looking at the keys. With modern keyboards far more responsive than old typewriters, there's no excuse not to learn. Here's my curated list of the top 8 tools and tutorials to get you started.

Simple Online Typing Tutors

Keybr

Keybr is a no-signup-required gem that delivers minimalist, effective lessons. It starts with touch typing basics and progresses to advanced drills, tracking your mistakes, WPM, and providing performance graphs (registration unlocks full stats).

Key features:

• Supports languages like German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Russian.
• Keyboard layouts: US, US-Dvorak, US-Colemak, UK.
• Custom modes with bookmarklet to practice any webpage.

10FastFingers

Test your speed in 60-second bursts on 10FastFingers, get percentile rankings, and compete daily. No formal lessons—just pure practice with shareable results. Includes typing competitions and custom text modes.

Key features:

• Create custom typing tests in your language.
• Android app available; iPhone and Blackberry coming soon.
• Supports 42 languages.

TypingWeb

TypingWeb offers comprehensive interactive lessons, from home row basics to advanced drills and literary excerpts. It adapts by identifying your error-prone keys and generating targeted practice. Ideal for all skill levels.

Key features:

• 12 fun typing games.
• Free teacher portal for schools with monitoring and reports.
• 7 languages and 26 keyboard layouts.

Also check out Sense-Lang, another excellent free typing tutor.

Fun Typing Games

Edutainment makes learning addictive. These games sharpen dexterity while keeping things engaging.

BBC Dance Mat Typing

Aimed at ages 7-11 but perfect for adult beginners, this Flash-based (with non-Flash option) program spans 4 levels across 12 stages. Songs, animations, and music guide you from basics to Shift key mastery.

Typing Karaoke

Type song lyrics as they scroll—a fun, challenging twist on practice. Songs range from slow ballads like Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" to fast rockers.

Fun to Type

Over 20 Flash games, from Ninja Keyboard to Excuse Maker, make practice playful (with short ads).

Desktop Software Options

Rapid Typing Tutor

This free Windows tool (with portable 11MB version) offers structured lessons from basic to advanced, including numpad practice. Customize with the Lesson Editor and track stats.

Key features:

• Covers numbers and numpad.
• Detailed daily performance stats.
• Multiple languages and layouts.

Amphetype

Open-source and cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), this portable tool focuses on advanced metrics like 'stickiness' (pauses between words). Import texts from Project Gutenberg for custom practice.

Key features:

• Generate lessons from any text source.
• Review and drill error words.
• Graphs for WPM, accuracy, and progress.

Try open-source Klavaro for layout-agnostic training (Dvorak, Colemak, etc.). My personal favorite is TIPP10, a smart cross-platform tutor.

Pair software with games for best results. For more, explore these:

• 7 Great Tips to Type Faster on iPad
• How I Mastered a Superior Keyboard Layout Without Losing Productivity
• 4 Free Typing Test Sites to Check Your Speed

These tools have helped me and countless others hit pro-level speeds. What's your go-to? Share in the comments.