Phone typing challenges to try with friends

A typing test is more fun with someone to beat. These are a few ways to turn a 60-second test into a quick contest. Most take five minutes and need nothing but your phones.

The straight challenge

Take the test on your phone while signed in, then tap Challenge a Friend on the results screen. You get a link that shows your name and score. Send it, and your friend sees exactly what they have to beat. They do not need an account to try.

Best of three

One run can be a fluke in either direction. Each take three tests and count your best score, or count your middle score if you want to reward consistency over a single lucky run.

Accuracy only

Ignore the WPM and compare accuracy instead. The highest percentage wins, with fewest errors as the tie-break. This suits a mixed group, because careful slow typists can beat fast careless ones, and it happens to be the best training for speed. See thumb typing accuracy tips.

The handicap round

If one of you is much faster, even it up. The faster typist uses one thumb, or their weaker hand, while the other uses both. It keeps the contest close and it is good practice for the stronger player.

Beat your own number

Instead of racing each other, each try to beat your own personal best. Whoever improves by the most WPM wins. Everyone has a fair chance, and nobody is stuck losing to the same person every time.

The group ladder

In a group chat, everyone posts a challenge link once a week and the top score holds the title until someone takes it. The leaderboards show today, this week and this month, and you can filter by country or US state.

Keep it friendly

• Only phone scores are official, so agree that everyone plays on a phone. See what makes an official score.
• Agree the rules before you start, not after someone loses.
• Stop while it is still fun. A few rounds is plenty. There is more in healthy phone habits.