WPM to CPM converter
Type a number in any box — words per minute, characters per minute, keystrokes per hour or characters per second — and the others update instantly.
1 word = 5 characters, spaces included
Conversion table
| Words per minute (WPM) | Characters per minute (CPM) | Keystrokes per hour (KPH) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 100 | 6,000 |
| 30 | 150 | 9,000 |
| 40 | 200 | 12,000 |
| 50 | 250 | 15,000 |
| 60 | 300 | 18,000 |
| 70 | 350 | 21,000 |
| 80 | 400 | 24,000 |
| 90 | 450 | 27,000 |
| 100 | 500 | 30,000 |
| 120 | 600 | 36,000 |
| 150 | 750 | 45,000 |
How WPM and CPM relate
Typing tests count a "word" as five characters, spaces and punctuation included, so that short and long words even out. That makes the conversion simple: CPM = WPM × 5, and WPM = CPM ÷ 5. A 60 WPM typist produces 300 correct characters per minute.
Keystrokes per hour (KPH) is CPM × 60. It's the unit many data-entry and 10-key jobs use — 300 CPM is 18,000 KPH.
Which unit should I use?
WPM is standard in English-speaking countries and on most online tests. Characters or keystrokes per minute are more common in job adverts and exams elsewhere — Turkish "vuruş", German "Anschläge", Spanish "pulsaciones" — and they're fairer across languages, because they don't depend on how long a language's words are.
Exams can count differently: some count Shift as a separate keystroke or subtract a penalty for every error, and some count real words instead of five-character words. When you prepare for a specific exam, check its own rules.
WPM and CPM — frequently asked questions
How many CPM is 40 WPM?
40 WPM is 200 characters per minute (40 × 5), or 12,000 keystrokes per hour.
Does CPM include spaces?
In the standard definition, yes — a space is a character like any other. TypeWPM counts spaces too, so its WPM and CPM always match the formula.
What is a good KPH for data entry?
Requirements vary by employer. Since KPH is just CPM × 60, use the converter to translate any requirement into WPM and check it against your test result.
More free tools
- Average typing speed — See your percentile against 168,960 typists and what counts as a good WPM.
- Typing time calculator — Estimate how long any text takes to type at your WPM.
- Check your speed with the typing speed test
- Learn 10-finger typing with the touch typing lessons