What touch typing is
Touch typing means typing with all ten fingers without looking at the keyboard. Each finger is responsible for its own group of keys, and returns to a resting position after every key press. Because your eyes stay on the screen, you notice mistakes sooner and keep your place in what you are copying or writing.
Learning takes patience: at first, touch typing is slower than your old way of typing. With short, regular practice, most learners become faster and more accurate than before.
The home row and the F and J bumps
The home row is the middle row of letters. Your fingers rest on it between key presses: the left hand on A S D F and the right hand on J K L ;, with both thumbs over the spacebar. The F and J keys have a small raised bar or bump. Your index fingers can feel these without looking, so you can always find the home row again.
Which finger presses which key
This course uses the standard touch-typing assignment for a US English QWERTY keyboard. The on-screen keyboard colours every key by its finger, and the hands light up the finger for the next key.
| Finger | Letter keys | Number row and other keys |
|---|---|---|
| Left pinky | Q, A, Z | 1, `, Tab, Caps Lock, left Shift |
| Left ring finger | W, S, X | 2 |
| Left middle finger | E, D, C | 3 |
| Left index finger | R, F, V, T, G, B | 4, 5 |
| Right index finger | Y, H, N, U, J, M | 6, 7 |
| Right middle finger | I, K | 8, comma |
| Right ring finger | O, L | 9, full stop |
| Right pinky | P, ; | 0, – =, [ ] , ‘ /, Enter, Backspace, right Shift |
| Either thumb | Spacebar | |
On a UK keyboard a few symbols are in different places: ” is Shift + 2, @ is Shift + apostrophe, # has its own key next to Enter (right pinky), and is next to the left Shift (left pinky). Choose the UK layout in the settings to see them on screen.
Capital letters: the opposite-hand Shift
Hold Shift with the pinky of the hand that is not typing the letter. For a capital A (a left-hand key), hold the right Shift with your right pinky and press A with your left pinky. For a capital J (a right-hand key), hold the left Shift with your left pinky and press J with your right index finger. The same rule applies to symbols that need Shift, such as ! (Shift + 1, using the right Shift). The guide shows both fingers whenever Shift is needed.
Posture
- Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor.
- Keep your forearms roughly level with the keyboard and your wrists straight.
- Curve your fingers gently and press keys with the fingertips.
- Put the screen at about eye level, an arm’s length away.
- Take a short break every hour to stretch your hands and rest your eyes.
How the course works
The course has 12 modules: keyboard fundamentals, the home row, the upper row, the bottom row, mixed rows, capital letters, numbers and symbols, English words, sentences and paragraphs, professional English, speed and accuracy, and independent typing. Each lesson explains one step, gives you an exercise and sets a clear goal, such as 90% accuracy, or 92% accuracy at 15 words per minute. In the last module the hints fade away until you type entirely on your own.
Lessons are never locked, so you can repeat or skip any of them. By default, the cursor waits on a wrong character until you type the right one, which helps you learn the correct key; you can change this in the settings. Your progress is saved in this browser if you allow it.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to learn touch typing?
It varies from person to person. Short daily practice, for example 15 to 20 minutes, usually works better than long, occasional sessions. Most people feel comfortable with the letter keys after the first four modules.
Should I use the 6 key with my left or right hand?
Both are used. This course follows the assignment in the table above, with 6 on the right index finger. If you were taught differently, it is fine to keep your habit.
Do I need to finish a lesson before the next one opens?
No. Every lesson is open. The course overview shows which lessons you have completed and suggests the next one.
Is my progress saved?
Yes, in this browser only, if “Save my progress” is on. Nothing is stored on our server, so progress does not move to another device. You can delete it on the practice page.