The complete typing guide
Proper technique is the difference between 40 WPM and 100 WPM over time. Here's everything you need to build a solid foundation.
Home row position
The raised bumps on F and J help you find home position without looking.
Finger-to-key mapping
Core technique tips
Master home row first
Your index fingers rest on the raised bumps of F and J. Always return to home position after reaching for any key. This builds muscle memory that makes all other keys faster.
One key, one finger
Assign each key to exactly one finger and never deviate. Even if a key is next to a finger that could reach it easier, stick to the assigned finger. Consistency is how you build speed.
Hit the key with the pad, not the tip
Use the pads (fleshy part) of your fingertips, not the nails or the very tips. This gives you more control and prevents finger strain injuries over time.
Keep your wrists floating
Your wrists should hover above the keyboard, not rest on it. Resting on the palm rest is fine between sessions, but typing with wrists planted causes carpal tunnel over time.
Start slow, build accuracy
Speed comes from muscle memory, and muscle memory requires correct repetition. If you type 60 WPM with 10% errors, you are drilling in bad habits. Better to type 30 WPM with 99% accuracy and build up.
For RTL scripts (Arabic, Hebrew), approach differently
Right-to-left scripts are typed leftward, but the muscle memory is about the key position, not the visual direction. Focus on memorising the keyboard layout, not the reading direction.
Per-script notes
Cyrillic
The layout follows the QWERTY physical positions even though the letters are different. Your fingers move the same paths — the visual changes, not the motor pattern.
Arabic & Hebrew
Type leftward but do not let that confuse your finger placement. The keyboard layout is still read left-to-right physically. Focus on position over visual direction.
CJK
Typing CJK characters involves multi-key sequences via pinyin (Chinese) or romaji (Japanese). Accuracy and tone markers matter — slow and correct beats fast and wrong.
Korean Hangul
Hangul is phonetic — each key corresponds to a jamo (letter). Letters combine into syllable blocks. Learning the individual jamo first makes typing intuitive.
Practice these fundamentals in our adaptive lesson system.
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