Home Row Words

From letters to words

Once your fingers know the home row, it is time for real words. Every word in this lesson is built from the home row keys only: A, S, D, F, G, H, J, K, L. Short words like ask, flag and glass teach your fingers to move in order without ever leaving their base position.

How to practice

• Keep your fingers curved over the home row and return to it after every word.
• Press the space bar with your thumb, never with an index finger.
• Say each word quietly as you type it. It links the sound, the spelling and the movement.
• Slow down until you can type each word without a single mistake, then speed up.

Common mistake

Don’t look down when you reach for G and H. They are the middle keys, reached by the index fingers: stretch the finger sideways, press, and bring it straight back to F or J.