About the English word list
Both lists are ordered by real-world frequency, and every word is lowercase. That keeps runs comparable and makes capitals and punctuation a deliberate choice rather than a surprise.
The extended list adds less frequent but still everyday words, which makes the order harder to memorise. Switch lists in the settings if you take the test often.
Punctuation and capitals
Real English includes capitals at the start of sentences, commas, apostrophes and quotation marks. Turn punctuation on for at least one run in three; the score will drop at first, then catch up.
Keyboard notes
English uses the 26-letter alphabet, so a standard US or UK keyboard covers everything. The apostrophe and the quotation mark share a key, and capitals need Shift - both are worth a short drill.
If you use a non-English layout such as AZERTY or QWERTZ, the letters move to different fingers. Check the language menu before you start so the word list and the layout match.
How to use the score
Compare runs taken with the same word count. The 25 word default is a quick check, while 50 or 100 words show whether your speed holds after the opening burst.
Frequently asked questions
How many words are in the English list?
There are two lists: 250 of the most common English words, and an extended list of 1,024 words for longer practice and more variety.
Does the test include capitals?
Capitals arrive with the punctuation setting. With punctuation off, the test uses lowercase words only, which is the fairest way to compare raw speed.