How to Improve Typing Accuracy

Typing accuracyMost new typists are primarily concerned with improving typing speed, however, accuracy is just as important. The free typing test gives you a measure of your words per minute as well as your adjusted words per minute after your mistakes are considered. This adjusted words per minute is a more accurate reflection of your actual typing speed. So how do you improve typing accuracy? Here are a few suggestions to improve your typing skills:

1. Slow down.
Typing speed isn't everything, and sometimes it pays to slow down. If you find yourself hitting the backspace key too frequently, slow down a bit and focus on hitting each key correctly the first time. Then gradually speed up as your accuracy increases.

2. Sit up straight.
It may not seem like a big deal, but slouching can do more than just cause back pain. It can limit your ability to focus on what you're doing as well as restrict finger and hand movement, making it hard to accurately hit the keys that you need. Sitting up straight in your chair, with your fingers resting easily on the "home" row of keys and your arms on a desk or table, helps improve typing accuracy.

3. Use macros or typing expanders for frequently repeated content.
If you're frequently typing the same words, phrases, sentences, or even paragraphs, you can program macros or typing expander programs to fill in the majority of the content for you. For example, instead of typing "transcription" you could use a macro to fill in the rest of the word after you type "trans." Using these programs, speeds you up because it limits the keystrokes required to produce long words as well as increasing your accuracy by removing the opportunity to type the word (or paragraph) incorrectly.

4. Take frequent breaks.
Just like any other part of your body, your fingers, hands, and brain can become fatigued when they've been performing repetitive motions for long periods of time. Taking frequent breaks allows you to relax, stretch your fingers and hands, and rest your mind—improving your accuracy when you return to typing.

5. Practice, practice, practice.
Practice makes perfect, and it's no different when improving typing accuracy. The more you practice, the more familiar your fingers will become with the keyboard and the fewer mistakes you'll find yourself making. Play the typing games, study the typing tutorials, consider taking a typing course, take the free typing test frequently to judge your progress, and you'll gradually improve typing accuracy and other typing skills.