Touch Typing vs Hunt and Peck: Why It Matters

What is hunt and peck?

Hunt and peck (or two-finger typing) means looking at the keyboard and using one or two fingers to press keys. Many people start this way because it requires no formal training. It works for short messages, but it limits speed and increases strain when typing for long periods.

What is touch typing?

Touch typing means typing without looking at the keyboard, using a set finger position (usually home row) and a consistent finger-to-key mapping. All ten fingers are used. With practice, touch typists reach higher WPM with less mental effort and fewer errors, because key locations become automatic.

Why touch typing is worth learning

Touch typists typically reach 50–90+ WPM; hunt-and-peck typists often stay in the 20–40 WPM range. Touch typing also reduces neck and eye strain because you look at the screen, not the keys. For school, work, or any serious typing, investing a few weeks in learning touch typing pays off for years.

You don't need to be perfect from day one. Start with the home row and a few letters, then add more keys. Our typing tutorial breaks the keyboard into lessons so you can build the habit step by step. Pair it with short typing tests to see your WPM and accuracy improve.

Making the switch

Switching from hunt and peck to touch typing can feel slow at first. Stick with it: even 10–15 minutes of daily practice will add up. Use easy difficulty at the start, focus on accuracy, and only then push for speed. A free online typing test in English is ideal for practice because you can repeat as often as you like.