Touch Typing vs Hunt and Peck: Why Proper Technique Matters
If you've ever watched someone type without looking at their keyboard, you've witnessed touch typing in action. But is it really worth learning, especially if you've been "hunt and peck" typing for years? Let's dive deep into why proper typing technique matters.
What is Hunt and Peck Typing?
Hunt and peck (also called "two-finger typing" or "search and find") is a typing method where you look at the keyboard to find each key before pressing it. Typically, this involves using just one or two fingers from each hand.
Characteristics of Hunt and Peck:
- Eyes constantly move between screen and keyboard
- Limited to 2-4 fingers
- Average speed: 20-40 WPM
- High mental effort required
- Slower error correction
What is Touch Typing?
Touch typing is the ability to type using all ten fingers without looking at the keyboard. Your fingers learn the position of each key through muscle memory, allowing you to keep your eyes on the screen.
Characteristics of Touch Typing:
- Eyes stay on the screen
- All 10 fingers utilized
- Average speed: 50-80+ WPM
- Low mental effort once learned
- Instant error detection
The Numbers Don't Lie
Research shows that touch typists are significantly faster and more accurate:
MetricHunt & PeckTouch TypingAverage WPM27 WPM65 WPMError Rate5-8%1-2%Time to Type 1000 Words37 minutes15 minutes Why Touch Typing is Superior
1. Speed Ceiling
Hunt and peck has a natural speed limit around 40-50 WPM due to the visual search required. Touch typing removes this ceiling – professional typists can exceed 100 WPM.
2. Reduced Physical Strain
Constantly looking down at your keyboard causes neck strain. Touch typing allows you to maintain proper posture and reduces repetitive strain injuries.
3. Better Focus on Content
When you don't have to think about where keys are, you can focus entirely on what you're writing. This leads to better quality content and fewer mental interruptions.
4. Professional Appearance
In professional settings, touch typing looks more competent and polished than hunting and pecking around the keyboard.
How to Make the Switch
Transitioning from hunt and peck to touch typing requires patience, but it's absolutely worth it:
- Learn the home row first – Master A, S, D, F and J, K, L, ; before anything else
- Practice without looking – Cover your keyboard if needed to break the habit of looking
- Accept temporary slowdown – You'll be slower at first, but stick with it
- Use structured lessons – Our typing lessons guide you step by step
- Practice daily – Even 15 minutes a day leads to rapid improvement
The Investment Pays Off
Yes, learning touch typing takes time – typically 2-4 weeks to reach your previous speed, and 2-3 months to significantly exceed it. But consider: if typing is something you'll do for the rest of your life, isn't a few months of practice worth decades of improved efficiency?
Start your touch typing journey today with our free typing lessons and see the difference proper technique makes!
