What the 5 Minute Typing Test Records
The 5 Minute Typing Test is a five-minute WPM and accuracy sample. During the 5-minute session, the first accepted character starts the timer. The 5-minute engine compares each typed character with the displayed lowercase passage.
For the 5-minute result, Backspace, Delete, paste, cut, drop, undo, redo, and replacement of earlier text are blocked. The resulting 5-minute accuracy therefore uses first-attempt character input.
How 5 Minute WPM Is Calculated
WPM uses correct characters rather than every key pressed. Across the 5-minute session, five correct characters count as one standardized word.
WPM = correct characters ÷ 5 ÷ 5 minutes
Twenty-five correct characters across the full session change the final result by 1 wpm.
How Character Accuracy Is Calculated
The 5-minute character-accuracy value compares correct characters with every accepted typed character in that session.
Accuracy = correct characters ÷ typed characters × 100
An incorrect character in the 5-minute session lowers accuracy and does not increase displayed WPM. Completing a passage loads another passage while the same 5-minute timer continues.
Why Choose 5 Minutes
Five minutes gives brief pauses and individual words less influence on the final WPM than one- or two-minute modes.
The 5-minute duration changes the sample size but not the WPM or accuracy formulas. Compare this 5-minute result only with sessions using the same duration and input rules.