Do you want to learn English typing but feel that you are too slow, or that you always have to look at the keys? Good news: typing is a skill, and anyone can learn it. In this guide you will see exactly where each finger goes, how to practise every day, and how to check your speed. No hard words, just simple steps.
Step 1: Sit the right way
- Sit straight, with your back against the chair and both feet flat on the floor.
- Keep your elbows bent at about 90 degrees.
- Keep your wrists straight. Do not bend them up or down.
- Keep the screen at eye level, about an arm’s length away.
Take a short break every 20 minutes. Look away from the screen and shake your hands.
Step 2: Find the home row
The home row is the middle row of letters. Put your left fingers on A S D F and your right fingers on J K L ;. Rest both thumbs on the space bar.
Now touch the F and J keys. You will feel a small bump on each. These bumps help your index fingers find the home row without looking. After you press any key, bring your finger back here.
Step 3: Finger placement chart
Every finger has its own keys. The chart below shows which finger presses which key. The small black line on F and J shows the bumps.
- Left pinky: Q A Z 1 `
- Left ring finger: W S X 2
- Left middle finger: E D C 3
- Left index finger (two columns): R T F G V B 4 5
- Right index finger (two columns): Y U H J N M 6 7
- Right middle finger: I K , 8
- Right ring finger: O L . 9
- Right pinky: P ; / 0 – = [ ] ‘
The space bar is pressed with the thumb. Enter and Backspace are pressed with the right pinky.
Step 4: The 5 golden rules of touch typing
- Do not look at the keyboard. Look at the screen or the paper.
- Use the right finger for every key. Even if it feels slow at first.
- Accuracy first, speed later. If you make many mistakes, slow down.
- Keep a steady rhythm. Type at an even pace instead of fast and slow bursts.
- Return to the home row after each key.
Step 5: Practise row by row
Learn one row at a time. Start with the home row and add the next row only when you can type the first one without looking.
| Row | Letters | Practice words |
|---|---|---|
| Home row | a s d f g h j k l | ask, sad, dad, half, flask, salad, glass, shall, flash |
| Top row | q w e r t y u i o p | type, write, power, quiet, pretty, tower, route, property |
| Bottom row | z x c v b n m | man, can, mix, zinc, brave, cabin, number, member |
| All rows | every letter | The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. |
The bottom row makes very few words on its own, so practise it together with the other rows.
Step 6: Shift, numbers and symbols
For a capital letter, press Shift with your opposite pinky. To type A in capital, press the right Shift. To type P in capital, press the left Shift. Learn the number row only after you are comfortable with the letters. Reach up from the home row with the same finger and come back.
Step 7: Check your typing speed
Typing speed is counted in WPM, which means words per minute. In typing tests, one word is counted as 5 characters, including spaces.
Gross WPM = (total characters typed ÷ 5) ÷ minutes.
Net WPM = gross WPM − mistakes per minute.
Example: You type 250 characters in 1 minute with 5 mistakes. Gross WPM is 250 ÷ 5 = 50. Net WPM is 50 − 5 = 45.
| Speed (WPM) | Level |
|---|---|
| Below 20 | Beginner |
| 20 to 35 | Getting there |
| 35 to 50 | Good for most jobs and exams |
| 50 to 70 | Very good |
| 70 and above | Professional |
Use any free typing tutor website or app (for example TypingClub or Keybr) to take a test every day and note your score.
30-day English typing practice plan
| Week | Focus | Daily time |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Home row only. Do not look at the keys. | 15 minutes |
| Week 2 | Add the top row and the bottom row. | 20 minutes |
| Week 3 | Capital letters with Shift, numbers and punctuation. | 20 to 30 minutes |
| Week 4 | Full sentences and paragraphs. Take a 1-minute test every day. | 30 minutes |
Common mistakes to avoid: looking at the keys, typing with only two or three fingers, chasing speed too early, and practising for hours one day and then skipping the whole week. A little practice every day works better.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn English typing?
With 20 to 30 minutes of practice every day, most beginners learn all the keys in about 3 to 4 weeks. Reaching 40 WPM or more usually takes a few months of regular practice.
What is the correct finger placement on a keyboard?
Place your left fingers on A, S, D, F and your right fingers on J, K, L, ; with both thumbs on the space bar. Every finger presses only the keys near it and then returns to this home row.
What is a good typing speed?
Around 40 WPM is a good speed for most office work. 50 to 60 WPM is very good. Many typing tests for jobs ask for around 30 to 35 WPM, but check your own exam notice.
How can I stop looking at the keyboard while typing?
Feel the small bumps on the F and J keys, cover your keyboard with a cloth or a sheet of paper, and practise slowly. Accuracy comes first and speed comes later.
What is touch typing?
Touch typing means typing without looking at the keys, using all ten fingers. Each finger has its own keys, so your hands learn the positions by feel.
Final words
Learning English typing is easy when you go one step at a time. Sit properly, start from the home row, follow the finger chart, and practise every day. In a month you will be typing without looking at the keyboard. Start today with the sentence “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” and see how you do. Have a question? Write it in the comments.