Japanese Typing Test Online
Ensure your OS Japanese IME is enabled. Practice Romaji to Kana/Kanji typing and check your CPM.
Test Your Speed in Other Languages
Preparing for a bilingual job interview or government exam? Certify your typing speed and accuracy in specific languages with our dedicated text banks.
Why Take a Japanese Typing Test?
Whether you are preparing for a bilingual IT job in Tokyo, working in a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center, or studying for the JLPT (Japanese-Language Proficiency Test), mastering Japanese typing is critical. A standard English typing test does not prepare you for the cognitive load of typing in Japanese. You must not only type the Romaji (Romanized spelling) quickly but also select the correct Kanji from your Input Method Editor (IME) candidate list without losing your rhythm.
CPM vs WPM: How Japanese Speed is Measured
You cannot use Words Per Minute (WPM) to accurately measure Japanese typing speed because Japanese sentences do not use spaces to separate words. Instead, professional tests in Japan use CPM (Characters Per Minute). This metric counts exactly how many correct Kana and Kanji characters you output to the screen in 60 seconds.
How to Type Japanese on a US Keyboard
You do not need to buy a physical Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) keyboard to type fluently. 90% of foreigners and even many native Japanese professionals use standard US QWERTY keyboards with the "Romaji Input" method enabled in their OS settings.
| Operating System | How to Enable Japanese IME (Romaji Input) |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 / 11 | Go to Settings > Time & Language > Add a Language > Japanese. Use the Microsoft IME. Press Alt + ~ to toggle between English and Japanese input. |
| macOS | Go to System Settings > Keyboard > Text Input > Edit > Add Japanese. Select Romaji input. Press Ctrl + Space to toggle. |
| Third-Party IMEs | Many professionals prefer Google Japanese Input for its superior cloud-based Kanji prediction dictionary. |
JIS vs US QWERTY: Hardware Differences
If you are eventually going to work in a Japanese office, you will likely be handed a physical JIS (106/109-key) keyboard. Be aware of the differences: the Enter key is massive (L-shaped), the Spacebar is much shorter, and there are dedicated keys next to the Spacebar for Henkan (Convert Kanji) and Muhenkan (Non-convert). If you are practicing on a US keyboard, make sure your spacebar and Enter keys are not suffering from ghosting, as you will press them constantly to select Kanji. Run a Hardware Keyboard Test to verify your switch health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How is Japanese typing speed measured?
Unlike English which uses WPM (Words Per Minute), Japanese typing speed is measured in CPM (Characters Per Minute). This counts the total number of correctly typed Kana and Kanji characters.
What is a good CPM for a Japanese typing test?
For data entry or IT roles in Japan, employers typically look for a speed of 60 to 80 CPM. Native Japanese office workers often type between 100 and 150 CPM.
Do I need a JIS keyboard to type in Japanese?
No, you do not need a physical Japanese (JIS) keyboard. You can use a standard US QWERTY keyboard and type using 'Romaji Input' (e.g., typing 'k' and 'a' to produce 'か') via your operating system's IME.
What is the difference between JIS and US QWERTY keyboards?
A Japanese Industrial Standard (JIS) keyboard has a different physical layout, including a larger Enter key, a shorter Spacebar, and dedicated keys for toggling Romaji/Kana (全角/半角) and converting Kanji (変換).
Why is my typing marked incorrect before I press Enter?
Because Japanese requires an Input Method Editor (IME), our test waits for you to select the correct Kanji/Kana from the candidate list and press Enter or Space to 'commit' the text before checking it against the prompt.