CPM to WPM Converter
Transform any characters-per-minute reading into words per minute while preserving the typing-test convention of five characters per word or substituting your own sample average. Optionally layer in accuracy to focus on correct-word throughput for compliance or captioning work.
If accuracy is 0% the tool returns zero WPM logically, but treat that scenario as an indicator to re-run your typing drill with better focus.
Examples
- 450 characters per minute with the default five-character word ⇒ 90.00 words per minute
- 520 characters per minute at 95% accuracy ⇒ 98.80 words per minute
FAQ
Why divide by characters per word?
Typing and transcription standards assume that one word equals five characters, so dividing CPM by that factor restores the comparable WPM metric.
What if my language uses longer words?
Enter the observed characters-per-word average from a representative text sample; the calculator uses that value when provided.
How should accuracy be interpreted?
Accuracy reflects the share of characters that were correct. The calculator multiplies CPM by that factor so 96% accuracy reports the WPM of correct words only.
Can I use this for audio transcription?
Yes. Supply the CPM reported by your stenography or speech-to-text platform along with any accuracy adjustments required by your workflow.
Additional Information
- Formula: WPM = (CPM × accuracy factor) ÷ characters per word.
- Accuracy defaults to 100% so the conversion matches raw CPM values unless you supply a correction factor.
- Divide the result by 60 for words per second when planning live captioning latency budgets.