Why is my typing speed not improving?
A plateau is normal. Most of the time it comes from one of a few habits. Check the list below and fix one at a time.
1. You type without trying to improve
Typing every day for work does not make you faster, because you already type at the speed you are used to. Improvement needs short practice with a goal: a little faster, or a little cleaner.
2. Accuracy is too low
If your accuracy is below 95%, fixing mistakes eats up the gains. Slow down for a few days until accuracy rises, then speed up again. See speed vs accuracy.
3. You still look at the keyboard
Glancing down costs a fraction of a second each time and breaks your focus. Cover your hands for a few days or use the typing lessons to get used to typing by feel.
4. You use the wrong fingers
If you type with a mix of fingers, your hands cannot build a pattern. Check finger placement and give each finger its own keys, even if it feels slower at first.
5. You only practise one kind of text
If you only practise random words, punctuation and numbers will slow you down. Mix in the punctuation test, the numbers test and the paragraph test.
6. You are tired or tense
Tight shoulders and hard key presses slow you down. Relax, take breaks and look at how to avoid hand strain.
7. You are measuring wrong
One test is noisy. Scores move by 5 to 10 WPM from one try to the next. Compare the average of five tests this week with last week.
Questions
How long do plateaus last?
Often one to three weeks. They end when you change something: more accuracy practice, a new kind of text or better habits.
Why is my WPM going down?
Tiredness, tension, a new keyboard or trying to type too fast can all lower it. Slow down and look at your accuracy.
How often should I practise?
Ten to fifteen minutes a day is better than an hour a week.