How you type is the key to typing speed. Most people type using one of two methods: "touch" or "hunt and peck."

"Touch" typing is typing using the sense of touch rather than sight to find the keys. "Touch" typing places the eight fingers in a horizontal row along the middle of the keyboard and has them reach for other keys. Most computer keyboards have a raised dot on either the F/J keys or the D/K keys (or the keys in the same position, for non-QWERTY keyboards) so that touch-typists can feel when their fingertips are over the correct home row. This row of the keyboard is termed "home row" because typists are trained to begin typing by placing their fingers on this row and then reaching for whichever keys they wish to type that are not on the home row. Afterwards, they return their fingers to their original positions on the home row.

For instance, to type the word poll on a QWERTY keyboard, one would place all of his or her fingers on the home row. (The right hand should be covering "j k l ;" with the thumb on the space bar.) The typist will then use his or her pinky finger to reach for the "P" key located just above the semicolon and then return the pinky back to the semicolon key from which it originated. The ring finger, located on the "L" key will be moved directly upwards to press the "O" key and then back. Finally, the same ring finger will remain on the "L" key and press it twice. Of course, trained typists can do this at blazing speeds of over 100 words per minute, but the key is that they always return their fingers to the home row when they are not in use. This provides for quick, easy access to all of the keys on the keyboard.

Some of the suggested ways of improving typing speeds in "touch" typing are:

• Ensuring a correct posture
• To exert only the correct amount of force required and not bang on the keys
• Taking frequent breaks helps to relax and improve accuracy
• Also, many typing courses exist to help you improve your typing skills:

The most common other form of typing is "hunt and peck" (or two-fingered typing) which is slower than touch typing because, instead of relying on the memorized position of keys, the typist is required to find each key by sight. Many idiosyncratic styles in between those two exist - for example many people will type blindly, but using only two to five fingers and not always in a systematic way. Free-typing-test.com recommends courses or practice for "hunt and peck" typists, so they can eventually transition to "touch" methods and improve typing speeds.

Improve your WPM:

Free-typing-test.com recommends Keyboard Kinetics, which is available in print or online versions as part of medical transcription and medical coding courses offered by industry-leader Career Step. Selecting one of their courses will help you improve typing skills as well as train you to utilize your improved typing skills for a new, high-paying career!

More info on Touch Typing

More info on Hunt and Peck Typing