Raw WPM vs Net WPM: Which Number Matters?
2 min readTypeDriveGames
Finish a typing test and you often get two numbers: raw WPM and net WPM. They can differ by 20 points, and only one of them is honest. Here is what each counts and which to track.
The two formulas
| Metric | Formula | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Raw WPM | all keystrokes ÷ 5 ÷ minutes | How fast your fingers move |
| Net WPM | correct characters ÷ 5 ÷ minutes | How fast you actually produce correct text |
| Accuracy | correct ÷ total keystrokes | The gap between the two |
Why the gap exists
Every error shrinks net WPM twice: once for the wrong keystroke and again for the backspace plus retype. A raw 75 WPM at 92% accuracy lands near 60 net WPM. The same raw speed at 99% accuracy lands near 73. Your accuracy, not your fingers, is usually the cheapest place to gain 10 WPM.
Raw WPM is your engine's RPM. Net WPM is your speedometer. Races are won on the speedometer.
Which number should you track?
- Track net WPM as your main metric — it is what employers' tests and typing services score.
- Watch raw WPM only to detect hesitation: a big raw/net gap with high accuracy means pauses, not errors.
- Keep accuracy ≥ 97%: below that, your net number will always disappoint you.
Both numbers, one minute:
Take the typing test