Typing efficiently is about accuracy, ergonomics, and minimizing unnecessary keystrokes. Whether you’re a writer, developer, or anyone who spends hours at a keyboard, optimizing your typing habits can save time and reduce strain.
When you’ve been a professional writer and editor for as long as I’ve been, you learn to develop some typing hacks to save time and avoid repetitive strain injuries. While speed is good, there’s more to professional typing than just typing fast.
These typing hacks will help you boost efficiency and type smarter, not harder.
Nail down typing basics
Before you even consider typing hacks, make sure you have the basics nailed down:
- A comfortable, ergonomic setup that lets you work for an extended period without debilitating injuries.
- Master touch typing with correct finger placement on the home row to reduce reliance on looking at the keyboard.
You have to walk before you can run. Hacks are marginal improvements, and without those basic skills, they won’t do you much good.
Tip: Most keyboards have little bumps on the F and J keys called tactile markers. Your left index finger should rest on the F key and your right index finger should rest on the J key.
Thankfully, if you need to brush up your touch-typing skills, there are many free online programs that can do the job, such as typing.com, monkeytype, and TypingClub.
1. Use text expansion
One trick for typing faster is typing less. As they say, work smarter, not harder. So instead of typing your first and last name (along with Shift for the capital letters), what if you could type ;name every time? Instead of typing your company name over and over, especially names with tricky intercaps like TextExpander, you could simply type txp? To take it even further, what if you could type out an entire email or canned response with a few keystrokes?
Text-expansion tools like TextExpander have been an open secret among productivity gurus for years. Try it out, set up a few repetitive phrases as Snippets, and see how much more productive you can be when you type less.
2. Learn copy and paste shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are fundamental to efficiency. You should never have to dig through a menu to perform these basic functions:
- Copy: Ctrl + C (Windows) / Command + C (Mac)
- Cut: Ctrl + X (Windows) / Command + X (Mac)
- Paste: Ctrl + V (Windows) / Command + V (Mac)
- Undo: Ctrl + Z (Windows) / Command + Z (Mac)
3. Learn navigation shortcuts
The ability to navigate your computer and documents without using the mouse can significantly boost productivity. Here are some essential navigation shortcuts:
Switch between open apps:
- Alt + Tab (Windows) / Command (⌘) + Tab (Mac) – Switch between open applications
Move the cursor efficiently:
- Move one word left: Ctrl + Left Arrow (Windows) / Option + Left Arrow (Mac)
- Move one word right: Ctrl + Right Arrow (Windows) / Option + Right Arrow (Mac)
- Move to the beginning of the line: Home (Windows) / Command + Left Arrow (Mac)
- Move to the end of the line: End (Windows) / Command + Right Arrow (Mac)
- Move to the beginning of the document: Ctrl + Home (Windows) / Command + Up Arrow (Mac)
- Move to the end of the document: Ctrl + End (Windows) / Command + Down Arrow (Mac)
💡 Tip: Hold Shift while moving the cursor to select text as you go.
Quickly delete text:
- Delete the word before the cursor: Ctrl + Backspace (Windows) / Option + Backspace (Mac)
- Delete the word after the cursor: Ctrl + Delete (Windows) / Option + Delete (Mac)
- Delete the entire line: Ctrl + Shift + Backspace (Windows) / Command + Delete (Mac)
4. Learn basic formatting shortcuts
You shouldn’t have to dig through menus to apply basic formatting. These universal keyboard shortcuts make text styling quick and easy:
- Bold: Ctrl + B (Windows) / Command + B (Mac)
- Italic: Ctrl + I (Windows) / Command + I (Mac)
- Underline: Ctrl + U (Windows) / Command + U (Mac)
- Insert a hyperlink: Ctrl + K (Windows) / Command + K (Mac)
5. Learn Markdown
John Gruber created Markdown in 2004 as a way to simply add formatting to plain text documents. You can format a document in Markdown that can easily be read as a plain text file, rendered as HTML, or exported into a rich text file or PDF. Markdown has steadily grown in popularity over the years, but its adoption exploded when OpenAI opted to format ChatGPT’s output as Markdown.
Here are examples of what Markdown formatting looks like:
# Heading 1
## Heading 2
### Heading 3
**Bold Text**
*Italic Text*
~~Strikethrough~~
[Link to Google](https://www.google.com)
> This is a blockquote.
- Bullet list item 1
- Bullet list item 2
- Nested item
1. Numbered list item 1
2. Numbered list item 2
`Inline code`
```python
# Code block example (Python)
print("Hello, Markdown!")The advantage of Markdown as a typing hack is you don’t have to reach for any special shortcuts to format your text—you just type the appropriate markup symbols. Markdown Guide maintains a long list of apps and services that support Markdown, and Google Docs now supports Markdown through an optional setting.
6. Use essential browser keyboard shortcuts
Knowing a few essential browser shortcuts can save you time and keep your workflow smooth. These shortcuts work in Google Chrome and most other modern browsers:
Navigation shortcuts:
- Go to the address bar: Ctrl + L (Windows) / Command + L (Mac)
- Search open tabs: Ctrl + Shift + A (Windows) / Command + Shift + A (Mac)
Tab management:
- Open a new tab: Ctrl + T (Windows) / Command + T (Mac)
- Close the current tab: Ctrl + W (Windows) / Command + W (Mac)
- Reopen the last closed tab: Ctrl + Shift + T (Windows) / Command + Shift + T (Mac)
Switch between tabs:
- Next tab: Ctrl + Tab (Windows) / Command + Option + Right Arrow (Mac)
- Previous tab: Ctrl + Shift + Tab (Windows) / Command + Option + Left Arrow (Mac)
- Jump to a specific tab (1-9): Ctrl + [1-9] (Windows) / Command + [1-9] (Mac)
Window management:
- Open a new window: Ctrl + N (Windows) / Command + N (Mac)
- Open a new private/incognito window: Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) / Command + Shift + N (Mac)
7. Combine shortcuts for efficiency
Mastering individual shortcuts is great, but combining them takes your efficiency to the next level. Instead of performing multiple actions separately, execute them in quick succession to keep your hands on the keyboard and minimize wasted motion.
Select, copy, and paste without a mouse:
- Move the cursor to the start of the text you want to copy.
- Hold Shift and use the Arrow keys to highlight text.
- Press Ctrl + C (Windows) / Command + C (Mac) to copy.
- Move the cursor to the destination.
- Press Ctrl + V (Windows) / Command + V (Mac) to paste.
Speed up text deletion:
- Delete an entire word: Ctrl + Backspace (Windows) / Option + Backspace (Mac)
- Delete a full line: Ctrl + Shift + Backspace (Windows) / Command + Delete (Mac)
Quickly reformat text:
- Select text using Shift + Arrow keys
- Apply formatting instantly:
- Bold: Ctrl + B (Windows) / Command + B (Mac)
- Italic: Ctrl + I (Windows) / Command + I (Mac)
- Underline: Ctrl + U (Windows) / Command + U (Mac)
Rapid navigation and editing:
- Jump to the start or end of a document:
- Ctrl + Home / Ctrl + End (Windows)
- Command + Up Arrow / Command + Down Arrow (Mac)
- Select entire sections of text quickly:
- Shift + Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow (Windows) / Shift + Option + Left/Right Arrow (Mac) selects words at a time.
The key to efficiency is building muscle memory for these combinations. The more you practice using them together, the faster and more seamless your typing will become!
8. Try vim keys
Now we’re venturing into nerdier territory. This hack has a bit of a learning curve, but the payoff could be well worth it. The text editor vi was designed in the 1970s before most keyboards even had arrow keys, so developer Bill Joy had to get creative, using keys like h, l, j, and k to navigate.
How do you use those keys to navigate without accidentally changing the text? Unlike modern text editors, vi and its successor vim operate in one of two modes: Command, where you’re entering commands instead of directly editing text, and Insert, where you’re directly operating on text.
When in command mode, you use the letter keys on your keyboard to quickly navigate around a document and make edits. The video below shows how fast using vim keys can be:
Here are some essential movement commands:
- Move left: h (←)
- Move right: l (→)
- Move down: j (↓)
- Move up: k (↑)
Jumping within text:
- Next word: w (jump to the beginning of the next word)
- End of the current/next word: e
- Previous word: b
Moving within a line:
- Beginning of the line: 0 (zero)
- First non-whitespace character: ^
- End of the line: $
Moving within a file:
- Beginning of the file: gg
- End of the file: G
- Jump to a specific line: :n (e.g., :10 moves to line 10)
Even if you don’t use vim at the command line, many apps have options or extensions to use vim keys. On Chrome and related browsers, you can use the Vimium extension to navigate the web with vim keys. Erik Westrup curates a GitHub repository called “Vim Keybindings Everywhere – The Ultimate List” to track apps that can be modified to use vim keybindings.
9. Make the Caps Lock key useful
The Caps Lock key is in a prominent position on your keyboard, but it’s a pretty useless key for most people unless you HAVE A NEED TO SCREAM AT PEOPLE OVER TEXT. You can change its keybinding to instead take the place of the Alt, Command, Control, Esc, Fn, or Option keys.
If you use Windows, you’ll need to install the free Microsoft PowerToys app. In PowerToys, select Keyboard Manager and Remap a key.
On a Mac, go to System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Modifier Keys. From there you can easily remap Caps Lock.
10. Try TrackPoint
Here’s another solution that isn’t for everyone, but could keep your hands on the keyboard for longer. For decades, ThinkPad laptops have featured the unique TrackPoint pointing stick device, which lets you manipulate the on-screen pointer without reaching for a mouse or other pointing device.
Pointing sticks are fidgety and take some getting used to, but many swear by them. If you don’t want to switch to a ThinkPad, there are a handful of USB keyboards with a pointing stick built in like Lenovo’s ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard II and UniComp’s EnduraPro.
11. Try a new keyboard layout
Did you know that the common QWERTY keyboard layout was actually designed to slow down your typing? Back in the days of mechanical typewriters, typing too fast would cause the strikes to jam together, so Christopher Latham Sholes designed QWERTY in the 1870s to prevent mechanical jams.
Since then, many other keyboard layouts have been proposed to make typing more efficient, most notably:
Each new one claims to be better and more efficient than its predecessors. The problem with all of them is that you’re essentially swimming upstream. A more efficient layout might help you type faster, but how long will it take to learn the layout? And how do you adjust when having to use a computer with a QWERTY layout? Needless to say, I don’t personally use alternative layouts, but many swear by them.
12. Switch to instrumental music
If you listen to music while working, listen up! A 2016 study from the 22nd International Conference on Auditory Display found that vocals in music reduced overall typing speed, especially among fast typists:
The fast typists achieved lower speeds when the loud volume music contained vocals, but with low volume music the inclusion of vocals in the background music did not have a noticeable affect on typing speed. The presence of vocals in the music reduced the accuracy of the text entry across the whole sample.
At any volume, vocals in music reduce accuracy, and louder vocals slow down typing among fast typists. If you need music while you work, consider switching to something without vocals, like classical music or lo-fi hip hop.
9 typing hacks to type faster
Speed isn’t just about how quickly you move your fingers—it’s about reducing unnecessary keystrokes, maintaining accuracy, and optimizing your workflow. Here are some practical hacks to help you type faster without sacrificing precision:
1. Use text expansion to eliminate repetitive typing
Instead of typing the same phrases, names, or responses over and over, use a text expansion tool like TextExpander. Set up shortcuts to expand frequently used words, sentences, or even entire paragraphs with just a few keystrokes. For example:
- Type ;addr to insert your full address.
- Type ;email to insert your email signature.
- Type ;ty to expand into “Thank you for your time!”
2. Optimize your typing posture
Proper hand positioning reduces strain and increases speed:
- Keep your fingers on the home row (ASDF for the left hand, JKL; for the right hand).
- Use the tactile markers on the F and J keys to reposition your hands without looking.
- Sit with good posture and keep your wrists slightly elevated to prevent fatigue.
3. Master touch typing
If you still look at the keyboard while typing, you’re slowing yourself down. Use free online tools like TypingClub, Keybr, or Monkeytype to train your muscle memory and improve your speed without glancing at the keys.
4. Minimize backspacing and corrections
Accuracy matters more than raw speed. Every time you make a mistake and backspace, you lose momentum. Instead of rushing, focus on typing accurately the first time—this will naturally make you faster over time.
5. Use word prediction tools
Many text editors and smartphones have built-in word prediction and autocomplete features. Enable these tools to let your device fill in longer words or phrases for you, reducing the number of keystrokes you need.
6. Reduce keystrokes with keyboard shortcuts
Switching between the keyboard and mouse slows you down. Use shortcuts for common actions like:
- Copy/Paste: Ctrl + C / Ctrl + V (Windows) | Command + C / Command + V (Mac)
- Undo: Ctrl + Z (Windows) | Command + Z (Mac)
- Jump between words: Ctrl + Left/Right Arrow (Windows) | Option + Left/Right Arrow (Mac)
7. Try a more efficient keyboard layout
The QWERTY layout wasn’t designed for speed. Some typists swear by alternative layouts like:
- Dvorak: Reduces finger movement and increases efficiency.
- Colemak: Easier to learn than Dvorak while improving speed.
If you’re serious about optimizing speed, switching layouts might be worth the learning curve.
8. Listen to instrumental music
Music with vocals can be distracting and slow you down. A study from the 22nd International Conference on Auditory Display found that vocal music reduced typing speed and accuracy, especially for fast typists. Try instrumental music or white noise to stay in the zone.
9. Train with typing speed tests
Regular practice with typing tests will help you track progress and refine your technique. Websites like 10FastFingers, TypeRacer, and Keybr offer fun, competitive ways to build speed.
Three principles for typing hacks
Every typing hack we discuss here boils down to one of three simple improvements:
Emphasize accuracy
We all want to go fast, but you can’t go fast without first being accurate. Ever played a racing video game? You can fast but easily lose if you’re constantly bumping into walls and obstacles while struggling to maintain control of the car. The same is true with a musical instrument: If you play as fast as Tommy Emmanuel but miss half the notes, you’ll sound ridiculous.
If any hack or technique you try reduces your accuracy, then it clearly doesn’t work for you. Of course, a new technique, such as a novel keyboard layout, may take time to adopt, and you have to give yourself time to learn the technique before dismissing it.
Some of these hacks will inherently make you more accurate. For example, if you employ text expansion, where you type a shortcut to expand out a longer, more complex Snippet of text, that will help reduce errors since you’re reducing the amount of manual typing.
Keeping your hands on the keyboard
One of the cornerstones of typing efficiency is doing everything possible to keep your fingers on the keyboard, ideally on or very close to the keyboard. Every time you lift your fingers from the home row you are slowing down your workflow. Every time you can learn a new method to navigate your computer or format text without lifting your fingers, that’s more time you are saving.
Minimize your keystrokes
You can keep practicing until you get faster and faster at typing, assuming your hands are in good health, but eventually, your speed will top out. In that case, the only way to go faster is to use techniques, like text expansion, that reduce how many characters you have to type in the first place. This will also reduce strain on your fingers, hands, and wrists and help you type for longer periods with less fatigue.
Typing hacks FAQs
What is the trick to type fast?
Typing fast is all about efficiency, accuracy, and muscle memory. Here are the key tricks to improve your typing speed:
1. Use proper finger placement
Place your fingers on the home row (ASDF for the left hand, JKL; for the right). Each finger should be responsible for a specific set of keys.
2. Avoid looking at the keyboard
Touch typing helps build muscle memory, reducing the need to glance at the keys and improving speed.
3. Practice consistently
Use typing tools like Keybr, 10FastFingers, or TypingClub to refine speed and accuracy. Regular practice is key.
4. Minimize unnecessary movements
Keep your hands relaxed and close to the keyboard. Avoid excessive finger or wrist movement.
5. Use TextExpander for shortcuts
TextExpander helps you eliminate repetitive typing by turning short abbreviations into full words or phrases, saving you time and effort.
6. Focus on accuracy first
Speed will naturally follow as you improve your accuracy. If you make fewer mistakes, you won’t waste time correcting errors.
7. Maintain a comfortable posture
Sit up straight, keep your wrists neutral, and ensure your keyboard is positioned at a comfortable height to avoid strain.
Want to boost efficiency even more? Try TextExpander to automate commonly used phrases and eliminate repetitive typing.
What is the 10 finger rule for typing?
The 10-finger rule for typing is a technique that helps you type faster and more efficiently by assigning each finger to specific keys on the keyboard. It’s the foundation of touch typing—where you type without looking at the keys.
How the 10-finger rule works:
- Home row positioning:
- Left hand: A S D F (index to pinky)
- Right hand: J K L ; (index to pinky)
- Thumbs rest on the spacebar.
- Each finger controls specific keys:
- Your index fingers handle adjacent keys (e.g., F, G, H, J).
- Your middle and ring fingers cover the upper and lower rows.
- Your pinky fingers handle special keys like Shift, Enter, and Backspace.
- Avoid looking at the keyboard: Build muscle memory so you can type without needing to check key placement.
- Use all 10 fingers: This reduces strain and increases speed compared to typing with just a few fingers.
- Practice regularly: Use typing tools like Keybr, 10FastFingers, or TypingClub to refine speed and accuracy.
Mastering the 10-finger rule helps you type faster, reduces errors, and minimizes hand fatigue. Want to save even more time? Tools like TextExpander let you create shortcuts for repetitive phrases so you can type less and get more done.
How can I pass a typing test easily?
Passing a typing test easily comes down to accuracy, speed, and preparation. Here’s how to improve your chances:
1. Focus on accuracy first
- Typing fast is useless if you make too many mistakes.
- Accuracy ensures you don’t waste time correcting errors.
2. Use proper finger placement
- Follow the 10-finger rule and keep your fingers on the home row (ASDF & JKL;).
- Avoid hunting and pecking—touch typing is key.
3. Practice with online typing tests
- Use tools like Keybr, 10FastFingers, or TypingClub to simulate real test conditions.
- Focus on consistency rather than bursts of speed.
4. Stay relaxed and maintain a steady rhythm
- Don’t rush—typing smoothly is faster than forcing speed.
- Keep a comfortable posture to avoid hand strain.
5. Use shortcuts where possible
- If the test allows, use TextExpander to insert common words or phrases quickly.
6. Read ahead while typing
- Train your eyes to scan upcoming words so your fingers are ready.
- This helps maintain flow and reduces pauses.
7. Warm up before the test
- Type for 5-10 minutes before the test to get your fingers moving.
If you follow these steps, you’ll increase both speed and accuracy, making passing the test much easier.
Is typing 40 WPM good?
Yes! Typing at 40 words per minute (WPM) is considered an average speed for most people. It’s fast enough for everyday tasks like emailing, chatting, and basic work.
Here’s a general breakdown of typing speeds:
- 20-30 WPM – Slower than average, but fine for casual typing.
- 40-50 WPM – Average speed, suitable for most jobs.
- 60-80 WPM – Fast and efficient; great for professional work.
- 90+ WPM – Super fast! Ideal for high-speed typing tasks.
If you want to type faster, practice with typing apps and consider using TextExpander to save time on repetitive phrases.
Is 100 WPM good?
Absolutely! 100 WPM is an excellent typing speed—faster than the average professional typist. At this speed, you can type efficiently in any setting, from office work to coding and transcription.
Here’s how 100 WPM compares:
- 40-50 WPM – Average for most people
- 60-80 WPM – Fast and efficient
- 90-100 WPM – Extremely fast, top-tier typist level
- 100+ WPM – Professional typist or competitive level
If you’ve hit 100 WPM, you’re already in the top 1% of typists! Want to go even further? Tools like TextExpander can make you even more efficient by automating repetitive typing.
