"Speaking is faster than typing" sounds obvious, but the real picture is more nuanced. Let's look at actual data.
Raw Speed Numbers
| Method | Average WPM | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|
| Hunt-and-peck typing | 20-30 | 40 |
| Touch typing | 40-60 | 100+ |
| Conversational speech | 120-150 | 180 |
The Correction Factor
Raw speed doesn't account for corrections. Typing errors need backspacing; transcription errors need editing. In practice:
- Typing: 5-10% of time spent correcting
- Dictation: 10-15% of time spent editing (varies by accuracy)
Effective Words Per Minute
Accounting for corrections:
- Touch typing: 35-55 effective WPM
- Voice dictation: 100-130 effective WPM
Even with editing, dictation is typically 2-3x faster for prose content.
When Typing Wins
- Code and syntax-heavy content
- Heavily formatted documents
- Situations where you can't speak aloud
- Content requiring lots of special characters