WPM vs CPM: typing speed units explained
WPM counts words per minute, CPM counts characters per minute. They measure the same thing in different units, and you can switch between them by multiplying or dividing by five.
The units
| Unit | Stands for | Counts |
|---|---|---|
| WPM | words per minute | Standard words of 5 characters |
| CPM | characters per minute | Every character, spaces included |
| KPM | keystrokes per minute | Every key press, including Shift and Backspace |
| KPH | keystrokes per hour | Keystrokes in an hour, used in data entry |
How to convert
CPM = WPM × 5, so 60 WPM is 300 CPM. KPH = WPM × 300, so 60 WPM is 18,000 KPH. To go the other way, divide.
Why some languages use CPM
Chinese, Japanese and Korean do not put spaces between words, and one character often carries the meaning of a whole word. Counting words does not work, so speeds are given in characters per minute. Our Japanese, Korean and Chinese tests show characters per minute for this reason.
KPM and how it differs
KPM counts every key press, including the ones that did not produce a character, such as Shift and Backspace. A typist who makes many corrections has a higher KPM than CPM. In data entry, KPH is the usual number because pay and targets are set per hour.
Questions
What is the difference between WPM and CPM?
WPM counts words of five characters. CPM counts characters. WPM = CPM ÷ 5.
How do I convert WPM to CPM?
Multiply by 5.
Why does the Japanese test show cpm?
Written Japanese has no spaces between words, so characters per minute is the usual unit.