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How to stop looking at the keyboard when you type
Looking at the keys is the biggest brake on typing speed and accuracy. The good news is that it is a habit, and habits can be replaced in a few weeks of deliberate practice.
Why looking down slows you
Every glance down costs a fraction of a second, and your eyes must travel between the keys and the text each time. Typists who keep their eyes on the screen also spot errors sooner and keep a steadier rhythm.
Set up your hands by touch
Find the small bumps on the F and J keys with your index fingers. Rest the other fingers on the home row beside them, and thumbs on the space bar. Return to this position after every reach so that your fingers always know where they are.
A simple retraining routine
- Cover your hands with a cloth or a sheet of paper while you practise, or tilt your screen so that you cannot see the keys.
- Start slowly. Accept more mistakes in the first days: they fall quickly.
- Say each letter in your head as you press it, and let each finger own its keys.
- If you must look, look once, then go back and retype the word by touch.
Common obstacles
The hardest keys are usually the number row, brackets and the punctuation near the right pinky. Practise these in short, separate bursts until the reach feels automatic. Use a lesson-style practice for new keys before using them in full passages.
How you will know it is working
Your speed will dip at first, then recover and pass your old level. Track net speed and accuracy together, and expect the improvement to come in steps rather than a straight line.
TypingNonStop has exam passages with the pass marks of real government and office jobs, net WPM, weak-word drills, lessons and games.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I learn to type without looking in a week?
Progress varies. Many people notice a clear improvement within a few weeks of daily practice, but the speed of change differs from person to person.
Is it cheating to peek sometimes?
Peeking now and then is normal while learning. Keep it rare and retype the word without looking.
Do I need a special keyboard?
No. A standard keyboard with the F and J bumps is enough.