Beginner Lesson 4

Home Row Combinations

Alternate between the hands smoothly without looking at the keyboard.

Instructions

Both hands on the home row now. Alternating hands is easier than repeating one finger, so let a steady rhythm settle before you try to speed up.

Finger position: Both hands on the home row. Return every finger after each stroke.

Home Row Combinations

Target: 12 WPM at 90% accuracy

0 Net WPM
0 Raw WPM
100% Accuracy
0:00 Elapsed
0 Correct
0 Incorrect
0 Errors left
0% Progress
Click here or start typing to begin

The timer starts on your first keystroke. Press Escape to pause where pausing is allowed. Pasting is disabled.

  • abc Correct
  • abc Incorrect (wavy underline)
  • abc Corrected (dotted underline)
  • abc Missed (struck through)

Underlined keys are the home row. Use the opposite hand for Shift where you can. QWERTY layout.

You can practise on a phone or tablet, but a physical keyboard gives a far more accurate WPM measurement. On-screen keyboards add their own delay.

Tips for this lesson

  • Keep your wrists relaxed and floating rather than resting hard on the desk.
  • Return every finger to the home row after each keystroke so your hands never drift.
  • Use the opposite hand for Shift wherever you can - it keeps both hands balanced.
  • Read one word ahead of the cursor so your hands always know what is coming.
  • Aim for the accuracy target first. Speed follows once the movement is reliable.