Dvorak Typing Test
Switch your keyboard to Dvorak, take the test and see exactly which keys still slow you down.
This Dvorak typing test uses the same engine as the main test, so it works with whatever layout your operating system is set to: switch to Dvorak in your system's keyboard or input-source settings (or plug in a Dvorak keyboard) and every character you type is scored as usual. Words per minute and accuracy are counted exactly as on every other test page, which makes it easy to compare your Dvorak speed with your old QWERTY numbers.
The Dvorak layout, designed by August Dvorak and William Dealey in the 1930s, puts the most common English letters on the home row so your fingers travel less. Switching is a real investment: expect your speed to drop at first and to need weeks of daily practice to recover. Short daily sessions work better than one long one — take the 30-second or 1-minute test, check the error map for the keys that still trip you up, and repeat.
Dvorak typing test — frequently asked questions
Do I need a Dvorak keyboard to use this test?
No. The test reads the characters your computer produces, so it is enough to set the Dvorak layout in your operating system's keyboard or input-source settings. You can keep a physical QWERTY keyboard — only what appears on screen is scored.
Is Dvorak faster than QWERTY?
It may feel more comfortable, but there is no reliable evidence that it makes typists faster. The old studies are mixed, and many of the fastest typists in the world use QWERTY. Choose Dvorak for comfort or curiosity, not for a guaranteed speed jump.
How long does it take to learn Dvorak?
Most people need a few weeks of daily practice to get back to their QWERTY speed, and some take longer. Learning the home row first, practising a little every day and taking a test regularly to see your progress is the usual route.
What happens to keyboard shortcuts on Dvorak?
Shortcuts such as Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V follow the letters, so they move to different physical keys. On macOS there is a "Dvorak – QWERTY ⌘" layout that keeps the Command shortcuts where they were; other systems offer similar variants or per-application remapping.