Free interactive tool
IELTS typing test: build the speed you need for Writing
On computer-delivered IELTS you type both essays. Learn the right finger placement, practise on IELTS-style passages, and watch your words per minute climb. Start typing below — no sign-up.
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Many students believe that studying abroad is the best way to learn a language. Living in another country forces you to use the language every day, from shopping to making new friends. Over time, this daily practice builds both confidence and fluency in a way that classroom lessons alone rarely can.
click and start typing…Hands on the keyboard
Rest your left fingers on A S D F and your right on J K L ;, thumbs on the space bar. The bumps on F and J help you find home without looking.Hold Shift for the next capital.
Why typing speed matters for IELTS
Computer-delivered IELTS asks you to type two pieces of writing in one hour: Task 1 (at least 150 words) and Task 2 (at least 250 words). That is roughly 400 words, and the best answers are also planned and checked. If typing slows you down, you lose the time you need to think.
| Typing speed | What it means on test day |
|---|---|
| ~15 WPM | Enough to type the minimum words in half the time, leaving the other half to plan and check. |
| ~35 WPM | Comfortable. You can plan, write and still re-read both answers. |
| 50+ WPM | Fast. Typing is no longer a limit — focus fully on ideas and language. |
A rough guide — your real bottleneck in IELTS is thinking and planning, so build accuracy first.
Keep going
Grade my essay →
Answer our Writing practice questions and get a practice band estimate with feedback.
How Writing is scored →
The four band-descriptor criteria, in plain English.
Computer-delivered IELTS: the complete guide →
What you see on screen, Writing on Paper, results, and when paper IELTS ended.
Frequently asked questions
What typing speed (WPM) do I need for IELTS Writing?
IELTS asks for at least 150 words in about 20 minutes for Task 1, and 250 words in about 40 minutes for Task 2. If you spend half of each task’s time planning and checking, you need about 15 WPM for Task 1 and 12.5 WPM for Task 2. A speed of 35 WPM or more is comfortable, because it leaves time to think and check. This test counts standard WPM, where every 5 correct characters count as one word, so its number is not the same as an IELTS word count.
How is WPM calculated here?
WPM (words per minute) uses the standard formula: every five correct characters count as one word, divided by the minutes you spent typing. Mistyped characters do not count, so your score reflects accurate typing, not just fast key-bashing.
Is IELTS handwritten or typed?
Mostly typed: IELTS on computer is now the normal test, and paper IELTS has ended in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. In Pakistan, paper is only for candidates with special approval on medical grounds. Some countries also offer Writing on Paper, where you handwrite only the Writing, so check which options your test centre offers. For the dates by country, open “Computer-delivered IELTS: the complete guide” in the “Keep going” links above.
How do I improve my typing speed?
Start with the home row (A S D F for the left hand, J K L ; for the right) and let each finger cover its own keys, using the colour guide on this page. Build accuracy first and speed will follow. Short, daily practice of five to ten minutes works far better than one long session.
Is this typing test free?
Yes, completely free and there is no sign-up needed. You can practise as many passages as you like and share your score with friends.
ieltspractice.app is independent and not affiliated with IDP, Cambridge English, or the British Council.