How long does it take to learn touch typing?
Have you ever stared at your keyboard, searching for each letter like it’s a treasure? You’re not alone — and yes, there’s a better way. Touch typing is the ability to type without looking at the keyboard, relying on muscle memory instead of your eyes. It may seem impossible at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s like gaining a superpower. So the real question is: how long does it take to learn it?
1. Short answer: 2 to 3 months (with regular practice)
For most people, 2 to 4 weeks is enough to learn how to type without looking. And if you practice daily, in 2 to 3 months you can comfortably and accurately type at a speed of 40–60 words per minute (WPM). If you want to go beyond that — say, do 4 to 6 months of focused practice every day — it’s totally possible to reach 70–100 WPM.
Think of it like learning to ride a bicycle — you stumble, you fall, and then one day… you’re moving without stopping.
2. What affects your learning speed?
How quickly you learn touch typing depends on several factors:
- Practice time — 15 to 20 minutes a day can do wonders
- Your starting habits — some of the first hunt-and-peck habits will need to be changed
- Your patience — you’ll be slow at first, but that’s normal
- What tools you use — typing lessons, and speed tests can help a lot
The biggest mistake? Practice haphazardly. You need to learn in a structured, guided way — just typing “asdf jkl;” over and over again won’t do.
3. An estimate of week-by-week progress
If you practice regularly, your progress might look something like this:
- Week 1: Learn finger positions, home row, basic drills
- Week 2: Start typing without looking (slow but steady speed)
- Week 3–4: Accuracy improves, speed above 30 WPM
- Month 2–3: Comfortable typing, fewer mistakes, 50+ WPM possible
- After: You’ll be typing fast — and without thinking
Everyone’s journey is a little different, but this is a good estimate.
4. Tips for learning quickly (without getting tired)
- Don’t rush — accuracy first, then speed
- Use all fingers, not just your favorite
- Cover the keyboard if you feel like looking
- Make it fun — typing games and small challenges are most effective
- Track your typing speed (WPM) every week
Just like going to the gym — a little practice every day is better than a fast but tiring effort.
5. Final Thoughts: You can do it
Touch typing is a skill, not a talent. That means — anyone can learn it, it just takes a little time and dedication. If you can spare just 15 minutes a day for the next few weeks, you’ll soon be wondering — how did I ever look down and type?
At BoostTyping.com, we’ve seen thousands of users make their typing changes. Now it’s your turn.