How to Learn Touch-Typing for Free

By learning to touch-type, you can make the task of producing type-written products easier and increase the speed with which you can complete typing-related jobs. While there are an assortment of courses on this topic that you can pay to attend, you can also save some cash and teach yourself the skill. If you are dedicated to learning how to type in this manner, move systematically through the steps necessary to develop this skill, and you will be touch typing in no time.

• 1

  Study the home row. When touch typing, your fingers should rest on the home row. This row consists of the keys A, S, D and F, onto which you should place your left hand, and J, K, L and ;, onto which you should place your right hand. Practice placing your fingers on this row to get used to the feel of this finger placement.

• 2

  Explore secondary rows. When typing, you must reach to press any key that does not sit in the home row. Generally, you must reach for the keys that rest outside of this row with the finger closest to that key on the home row. Explore the non-home-row keys in proximity to each finger, and practice reaching to touch each. For a more complex explanation of reaching procedures, consult an online touch typing tutorial, such as one listed in the Resources section.

• 3

  Practice typing with the proper hand placement. Even though touch-typing hand placement can seem challenging to maintain, it is vital that you stick with this hand placement if you really want to become a touch typist. Each time you type, keep your fingers on the home row and reach with the appropriate fingers.

• 4

  Create a cardboard box keyboard cover. As you become a more skilled touch typist, stop looking at the keyboard. To stop yourself from sneaking a peak, cut the side off of a cardboard box lid and place it over the keyboard, sliding your hands through the cut-out side to type.

• 5

  Type book sections or newspaper articles using proper touch-typing techniques. Place one of these sections of text next to your keyboard and retype it. Make this a daily task. The more you do this, the better you will become at touch-typing.

• 6

  Play typing games. Through the use of free games, such as those available at the link in the Resources section, you can make typing practice a bit less boring. As you play each of these games, focus on keeping your hands in proper touch-type placement.

• 7

  Complete typing speed tests. By completing typing tests, such as those included in the resources section, you can watch your typing skills improve. By completing these tests regularly, you may be able to increase your motivation to practice your touch typing.