10 Typing Exercises for Beginners (Try Them Here)
· 6 min read
These ten exercises take a complete beginner from the home row to typing real sentences. Do them in order, one or two a day. Each one stops on errors so you practice the correct finger, and none of them need an account.
Before starting, place your fingers on the home row: left hand on A S D F, right hand on J K L ;, thumbs over the space bar. Feel the bumps on F and J. Every exercise starts from here.
Exercise 1: index fingers
Only F and J. Press each key firmly and bring your finger straight back to rest.
Next key f, use your left index finger
Exercise 2: middle fingers
Add D and K. Keep your index fingers resting on F and J while your middle fingers press.
Next key d, use your left middle finger
Exercise 3: ring and little fingers
Add S, L, A and ;. The little fingers are the weakest, so go slowly here.
Next key j, use your right index finger
Exercise 4: inner reaches
G and H are reached sideways by your index fingers. Return to F and J after each one.
Next key a, use your left pinky
Exercise 5: home row words
Real words using only home row keys. Read each word before you type it.
Next key a, use your left pinky
Exercise 6: top row, left hand
E and R are the most common top-row letters. Reach up with your middle and index fingers.
Next key l, use your right ring finger
Exercise 7: top row, right hand
U, I and O with your right index, middle and ring fingers.
Next key o, use your right ring finger
Exercise 8: bottom row
Curl your fingers down rather than moving your whole hand.
Next key l, use your right ring finger
Exercise 9: all letters
Every letter key, with a bias toward the most common ones.
Next key b, use your left index finger
Exercise 10: a real sentence
Capitals and punctuation. Use the Shift key on the opposite side from the letter.
Next key T, use your left index finger
How to use these exercises
- Accuracy first. Repeat an exercise until you finish it with 95% accuracy or more.
- Don't look down. Use the on-screen keyboard if you need a hint.
- Short and often. Fifteen minutes a day beats an hour once a week.
When you've finished all ten, take the typing test for beginners and then continue with the full typing lessons, which cover numbers, symbols and speed.