What is''touch typing''?

Answer 1

Touch typing refers to the ability to produce typed documents on a typewriter, word document or computer, without having to look at which keys you are pressing. This is achieved over many hours to build muscle memory - in the same way that you can put a glass to your mouth to drink with your eyes shut, simply because you have performed this action so many times it's natural.

So for example, if you need to look at the keys on a keyboard to help you press the correct key, then you are not touch typing.

Usually, a touch typist follows a particular format for which fingers hit which keys. For example, a non touch typist may use their index finger to press the 'Q' key, however a touch typist would usually use their little finger as it is closest.

Expert touch typists may be able to produce 100 words per minute, however a non touch typist would typically struggle to produce more than 20 or so.

Bizarrely, many touch typists would not be able to tell you where the individual letters are on the keyboard without having to refer to their fingers first!