How To Teach Yourself Touch Typing In Under Two Weeks With Free Apps

In today’s digital world, typing isn’t just a skill—it’s a necessity. Whether you're writing emails, coding, or taking notes, the ability to type quickly and accurately can save hours each week. Yet many people still hunt-and-peck their way through every sentence, unaware of how much they’re slowing themselves down.

The good news? You don’t need expensive software or months of practice to master touch typing. With focused effort and the right tools, you can learn to type without looking at the keyboard in under two weeks—using only free apps. This guide walks you through a realistic, step-by-step plan that combines proven techniques with powerful, accessible resources.

Why Touch Typing Matters More Than You Think

Touch typing—the ability to type accurately without looking at the keyboard—does more than increase speed. It reduces mental fatigue, improves focus, and allows your thoughts to flow directly into text. When your fingers know where the keys are by muscle memory, your brain isn’t distracted by visual scanning or error correction.

Studies show that average typists hover around 40 words per minute (WPM), while proficient touch typists reach 65–75 WPM or higher. That difference translates to roughly 200 extra words typed every hour. Over a year, that’s tens of thousands of words saved—time you can spend on creative thinking, editing, or simply finishing earlier.

“Typing is the bridge between thought and output. The smoother it is, the faster ideas become reality.” — Dr. Linda Chen, Human-Computer Interaction Researcher

Your Two-Week Learning Timeline

Learning touch typing in two weeks is ambitious but achievable with consistency. The key is structured daily practice, deliberate feedback, and gradual progression. Here’s a realistic day-by-day breakdown:

1. Days 1–3: Foundations – Learn finger placement, home row keys, and basic drills. Focus on accuracy over speed.
2. Days 4–7: Expansion & Repetition – Add upper and lower rows, practice common word patterns, and build endurance.
3. Days 8–12: Speed Development – Introduce timed exercises, increase complexity, and reduce reliance on visual cues.
4. Days 13–14: Real-World Application – Simulate real tasks like transcribing paragraphs or writing short messages without looking.

Each session should last 20–30 minutes. Longer sessions lead to diminishing returns due to mental fatigue. Short, intense practice with full concentration beats passive hour-long drills.

Tip: Practice at the same time each day to build habit momentum. Morning sessions often yield better focus.

Top Free Apps That Actually Work

Not all typing apps are created equal. Many offer flashy interfaces but lack structured pedagogy. The following free tools have been tested by millions and are trusted by educators for their clear progression models and real-time feedback.

App Name	Best For	Key Features	Platform
keybr.com	Muscle memory development	Adaptive lessons, analytics dashboard, phonetic emphasis	Web (mobile-friendly)
TypingClub	Beginners & visual learners	Step-by-step courses, gamified interface, progress tracking	Web, iOS, Android
typing.com	Comprehensive curriculum	Lessons, tests, certificates, career typing modules	Web, mobile apps
10FastFingers	Speed building	Timed word challenges, multiplayer mode, language options	Web
Klavaro	Offline learners	Open-source, no ads, customizable difficulty	Windows, macOS, Linux

Start with TypingClub or keybr.com if you’re new. Both emphasize proper technique from the beginning. Once comfortable, use 10FastFingers to benchmark your speed against others globally.

Common Mistakes That Slow Progress

Even with the best tools, bad habits can derail your learning. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Looking at the keyboard – Every glance reinforces dependency. Use a keyboard cover or mentally commit to keeping eyes on screen.
• Prioritizing speed too early – Fast typing with errors creates inefficient muscle memory. Aim for 95%+ accuracy before pushing speed.
• Incorrect posture – Hunched shoulders or raised wrists cause strain. Sit upright, elbows at 90 degrees, wrists floating slightly above the desk.
• Skipping warm-ups – Jumping into high-speed drills without preparation increases mistakes. Spend 2–3 minutes on home row drills first.
• Inconsistent practice – Typing for one hour on Saturday does less than 25 minutes daily. Frequency trumps duration.

Tip: Turn off autocorrect during practice. It masks errors and prevents real improvement.

A Realistic Case: How Sarah Learned in 12 Days

Sarah, a college student majoring in communications, averaged 38 WPM and relied heavily on visual key hunting. She wanted to improve before her summer internship, giving herself two weeks to learn touch typing using only free tools.

She began with TypingClub’s beginner course, spending 25 minutes each morning after breakfast. For the first three days, she focused solely on the home row (ASDF JKL;), repeating drills until her accuracy reached 98%. She placed a sticky note over her keyboard to resist peeking.

By Day 6, she moved to uppercase letters and symbols, still prioritizing form over speed. She used keybr.com to identify weak keys (notably ‘q’, ‘z’, and ‘/’) and drilled them individually.

On Days 10–12, she switched to 10FastFingers’ 1-minute tests, improving from 42 to 63 WPM with consistent accuracy. She finished by typing a 300-word reflection on her laptop without looking once.

Result: In 12 days, Sarah reached 67 WPM with 94% accuracy—all using free apps and self-guided discipline.

Action Plan Checklist

To replicate success like Sarah’s, follow this actionable checklist:

• ✅ Choose one primary app (e.g., TypingClub or keybr.com)
• ✅ Set a fixed 20–30 minute daily practice window
• ✅ Position hands correctly: left index on F, right index on J
• ✅ Cover keyboard or turn it away to avoid looking
• ✅ Complete at least 3 lessons or drills per session
• ✅ Track daily WPM and accuracy in a notebook or spreadsheet
• ✅ Use 10FastFingers weekly to test progress
• ✅ Practice real-world typing on Day 13–14 (emails, notes, etc.)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I really learn touch typing in two weeks?

Yes—if you practice daily with focus. “Learning” means achieving functional proficiency, not perfection. Most people reach 60+ WPM with high accuracy in 10–14 days when practicing 25 minutes daily using structured methods.

What if I already type fast but look at the keyboard?

You can retrain. Start slowly, prioritize accuracy, and accept a temporary speed drop. Within a week, your blind typing speed will match—and soon exceed—your current rate.

Are mobile typing apps effective?

Limited. Touchscreens lack tactile feedback, making finger positioning harder. Use mobile apps only for review or light practice. Primary training should be done on a physical keyboard.

Final Tips for Lasting Success

Reaching your goal in two weeks is impressive, but maintaining it matters more. Here’s how to ensure your new skill sticks:

• Keep practicing weekly – Even 10 minutes twice a week prevents regression.
• Type real content – Transcribe quotes, write journal entries, or summarize articles.
• Test monthly – Use typing.com’s free assessment to track long-term progress.
• Upgrade ergonomics – A comfortable keyboard and chair support sustained typing health.

“The fastest typists aren’t born—they’re trained. And the training starts with one correct keystroke at a time.” — James Reed, Keyboard Skills Instructor, Austin Community College

Start Today, Type Freely Tomorrow

You don’t need special talent or paid software to become a confident touch typist. All you need is two weeks of disciplined practice and access to the free tools already available online. The initial discomfort of breaking old habits is temporary. The payoff—lifelong efficiency, reduced strain, and seamless digital communication—is permanent.

Open your browser, go to TypingClub or keybr.com, and begin your first lesson now. Don’t wait for “the right time.” The best moment to start building this essential skill was yesterday. The second-best is today.

🚀 Ready to transform your typing? Pick an app, set a timer, and type your first blind sentence today. Share your starting WPM in the comments and challenge yourself to beat it in 14 days!