How I type fast (150+ WPM)

Summary

In this video, Janice shares her personal tips for becoming a faster typist. She explains how stopping reliance on the pinky finger, using muscle memory through touch typing, and practicing consistently helped her speed up. Janice also advises on the importance of keeping nails short for better typing ergonomics and selecting the right keyboard. She recommends Cherry MX Browns for a comfortable mechanical typing experience and suggests using websites like 10fastfingers.com for practice. Finally, she emphasizes the role of muscle memory and consistent practice in mastering fast typing.

Takeaways

• 😀 Stop relying on your pinky finger for typing; using your ring finger for outer keys can improve speed and comfort.
• 😀 Keep your nails short to prevent accidental key presses and maintain efficient finger movement.
• 😀 Find a keyboard that suits you; mechanical keyboards like Cherry MX Browns can enhance typing experience.
• 😀 Touch typing—typing without looking at the keyboard—builds muscle memory and reduces errors.
• 😀 Practice regularly to commit key positions to muscle memory, similar to riding a bike or playing piano.
• 😀 Use online typing tests like 10fastfingers.com to practice random words and improve typing speed.
• 😀 Practice typing common words and sentences containing all letters to strengthen finger memory.
• 😀 A wrist rest may help some people stabilize their hands, but it’s optional and may limit movement.
• 😀 Focus on hand positioning: right thumb on the space bar, rarely using the right pinky, and mostly typing with seven fingers.
• 😀 Experiment with different keyboard switches using testers before committing to a keyboard for optimal comfort.

Q & A

Why does Janice avoid using her pinky finger when typing?

Janice avoids using her pinky finger because it's weaker and has a limited range of motion compared to other fingers. This makes reaching for certain keys awkward and inefficient. She replaces it with her ring finger for easier access to hidden keys.

What is Janice's typing technique when it comes to her thumbs?

Janice keeps her right thumb always on the space bar while her left thumb doesn't do anything. This approach allows her to avoid using her pinky finger as much as possible, typing primarily with seven fingers.

How does nail length affect typing speed?

Long nails can cause accidental key presses and uncomfortable bumps against other keys, especially on flatter keyboards. Janice suggests keeping nails short to avoid these issues and improve typing speed and comfort.

What type of keyboard does Janice prefer, and why?

Janice prefers mechanical keyboards, specifically Cherry MX Browns. These switches offer a balanced feel—not too heavy, making them easy to press, but not so light that they cause accidental key presses.

Can you use any type of keyboard to type fast, or does it need to be mechanical?

While mechanical keyboards can help, they are not a requirement to type fast. Other keyboards can still be used effectively as long as the user practices proper typing techniques.

What is touch typing, and why is it important for speed?

Touch typing is a technique where you type without looking at the keyboard, relying solely on muscle memory. This method enhances typing speed because it reduces the time spent looking at the keys and allows for more fluid, automatic typing.

What is Janice's experience with typing tests, and how can they help improve speed?

Janice recommends using websites like 10fastfingers.com for typing tests. These tests involve typing random words and help users build muscle memory for key positions. Practicing with common words and sentences can also help improve typing accuracy and speed.

What advice does Janice give regarding wrist rests?

Janice doesn't use a wrist rest because it limits her hand movement. However, she suggests that some people may find wrist rests helpful for stabilizing their hands and improving typing comfort, so it's worth trying out.

Why is muscle memory crucial for fast typing?

Muscle memory is crucial because it allows you to type automatically without thinking about which keys you're pressing. This unconscious familiarity with the keyboard layout speeds up typing significantly and reduces mistakes.

How does Janice suggest practicing typing?

Janice suggests consistent practice, using typing tests and typing common words or sentences with every letter of the alphabet. Regular practice helps build muscle memory and enhances overall typing speed.