Code Typer

A typing test for programmers: type real JavaScript, Python, Rust and SQL code against the clock.

WPM0

Accuracy100%

Best–

Paused. Click or tap the code to keep typing.

Code Typer

Type real code as fast and accurately as you can.

Type the code exactly, pressing Enter at the end of each line (↵). Indentation is filled in for you. A wrong key does not move on until you press the right one. Press Esc to pause.

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About Code Typer

Ordinary typing tests use plain sentences, but code is full of brackets, operators, underscores and quotes that slow everyone down. Code Typer measures how fast you type what programmers actually write.

Pick a language and type a short snippet exactly as shown. There are 23 snippets written for the game, from a debounce function in JavaScript to a join in SQL. Your speed is shown in words per minute along with your accuracy.

How to play Code Typer

Choose a language: JavaScript, Python, Rust, SQL.
Press Start typing and type the code from the first character. The clock starts on your first key.
Typed characters turn solid and the cursor moves on. A wrong key is counted as a miss and the cursor stays where it is until you press the right one.
Press Enter at the end of each line (shown as ↵). The next line’s indentation is filled in for you, as in a code editor.
When the last character is typed you see your speed, accuracy and best speed for that language.

Code Typer controls

Keyboard
Type	Any key; Enter for a new line
Pause	Esc, or click away; click the code to carry on
New snippet	N (when not typing), or the New snippet button
Sound on or off	M (when not typing)

Touch screens
Type	Tap the code to open your keyboard
New snippet	The New snippet button

Code Typer rules

Speed

Speed is in words per minute (WPM), with every five characters counting as one word, the usual convention for typing tests. Only characters you type count: the indentation filled in after each Enter does not.

The clock runs from your first key to your last, and stops while the code is not focused or the tab is hidden, so stepping away does not cost you.

Accuracy

Accuracy is the share of your key presses that were right. Because a wrong key never moves the cursor, every snippet ends with the code typed exactly; misses only lower your accuracy and cost time.

Spaces typed at the start of a line are ignored, not counted as misses, since the indentation is already there.

Records

Your best speed and the number of snippets you have finished in each language are saved in this browser on this device.

Phones and screen readers

On a phone, tap the code to bring up your keyboard. Curly quotes from phone keyboards are accepted as straight quotes. With a screen reader, the code is read out as the description of the typing box.

Tips and strategy

Accuracy first. A miss costs you the time to notice it and press the right key, so slowing down slightly often makes you faster.
Look a few characters ahead rather than at the cursor, especially before runs of symbols like => or ::.
Learn where brackets and operators are without looking: (), [], {}, <> and the symbols on the number row.
Use both Shift keys: the one on the opposite side from the key you are pressing.
Practise the language you use least; symbol-heavy languages like Rust are where most people lose speed.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good typing speed for programming?

Code is slower to type than prose because of its symbols. Many developers type code at 30 to 60 WPM; much above that is fast. Accuracy matters more than raw speed.