Text Entry Rate

A measure of how quickly a user can input text using a given method, typically expressed in words per minute (WPM) or characters per minute (CPM). One word is conventionally defined as five characters including spaces. For standard QWERTY keyboards, professional typists achieve 250-400 CPM, while touchscreen typing with one finger yields around 105-160 CPM. For assistive text entry methods used by people with motor impairments — such as scanning keyboards, eye-tracking systems, or vocal interfaces — rates typically range from 5 to 30 CPM. Text entry rate is a key metric for evaluating assistive technology, though it must be considered alongside error rate, fatigue, and user satisfaction.