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Master you Keyboard: the Power of Fast Typing

written by idriss douiri profile picture Idriss Douiri

updated on

3 min read

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When I first started, my typing was so slow that my thoughts were always racing ahead of my fingers. Now, after mastering a few key techniques, I type at 70 words per minute—and you can too.

douiri idriss reaching 69wpm in monkeytype

The Benifits of Fast typing

Fast typing is a skill that can be easily acquired and save a lot of time. By mastering this skill, you can focus more on the important stuff while letting your fingers do the rest. It can also improve your health by ensuring proper posture.

How to Learn Fast Typing

Test Your Speed

Measure your typing speed consistently using some of the tools provided in the last section to keep track of your progress and stay motivated. Set goals for yourself to surpass the average speed of 40wpm (words per minute).

Master Touch Typing

Touch typing is a technique that involves using all your ten fingers to type without looking at the keyboard to build muscle memory for each key location.

To start, place your index fingers on f and j, you can feel that little bump in order to easily find them. Now spread your fingers on the home row by putting your left hand on asdf and your right hand on jkl;, this middle row is your home row, return to it after each keystroke.

keyboard with color-coded keys mapped to fingers

Invest in a Good Keyboard

Keyboards are built differently and each comes with a different experience, and finding what works best for you is an essential step to mastering fast typing. That’s why many writers prefer mechanical keyboards instead of traditional ones, particularly those with tactile switches, as they provide clear feedback when the keypress is registered.

Choosing the right mechanical keyboard can feel overwhelming. If you’re unsure where to start, consider opting for a keyboard with Cherry MX Brown switches—a popular choice among typists due to their versatile tactile feedback and balanced feel.

Aim for Accuracy, Not Speed

Initially, focus on typing accurately rather than quickly. Rushing through typing can lead to errors, slowing you down as you backtrack to correct them. As you develop muscle memory and proficiency, speed will naturally improve

Use Keyboard Shortcuts

Navigating between your keyboard and mouse can significantly reduce typing efficiency and productivity. Mastering keyboard shortcuts is a powerful strategy to streamline your workflow, minimize cursor movement, and dramatically increase typing speed across different applications.

Here is a list of key Shortcuts to Accelerate Your Workflow:

  • Delete Entire Words: Ctrl + Backspace
  • Copy Text: Ctrl + C
  • Cut Text: Ctrl + X
  • Paste Content: Ctrl + V
  • Undo Recent Actions: Ctrl + Z
  • Redo Previous Actions: Ctrl + Y
  • Select All Text: Ctrl + A
  • Move Cursor by Word: Ctrl + /
  • Select Multiple Words: Ctrl + Shift + /

Remember, practicing your newly acquired shortcuts is the key to building your muscle memory and typing efficiency.

Ressources to Learn Fast Typing

typingclub
A free touch typing platfom.
typing.com
Offers touch typing lessons and speed improvement exercises.
10FastFingers
Provides free typing games to test and enhance your typing speed.
monkeytype

The most customizable typing test website with a minimal design and a ton of features

typeracer

TypeRacer, allows people to race each-other by typing quotes from books, movies, and songs

typingtest
Offers free online typing tests and engaging typing games for practice.
keybr

improve your typing speed and accuracy through interactive exercises and personalized lessons.

Ztype
Z-Type is a typing shooter video game