Being able to touch type is the ability of typing without looking at the keyboard. When touch-typing, the individual uses all fingers instead of just a few fingers. Consequently, typing speed increases dramatically.
It’s not only transcriptionists and secretaries that benefit from being able to type without looking at the keyboard. By concentrating on their thoughts and creative processes rather than the keyboard, all users will focus more on the content of the text, thereby increasing its quality. Moreover, touch-typing is less tiring, and less demanding on the brain. It also reduces the risk of Repetitive strain injury and Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Typing tutor software teaches fast and accurate typing through a system of informative lessons and progress tracking. We think it is important that learning should be fun, so we have included some typing games in this feature.
To provide an insight into the quality of software available, we have compiled a list of 18 useful TUI-based typing tutors. Hopefully there will be something of interest for anyone looking to improve their typing skills.
Here’s our verdict captured in a legendary LinuxLinks-style ratings chart. Only free and open source software is eligible for inclusion here. GUI tools are covered in this separate roundup.
| TUI Typing Tutors | |
|---|---|
| ttyper | Supports languages including English, German, Norwegian, Ukrainian, Spanish |
| Smassh | TUI based typing test application inspired by MonkeyType |
| GitType | Turn your source code into typing challenges |
| toipe | Trusty terminal typing tester |
| typioca | Minimal terminal based typing speed tester |
| GNU Typist | Simple ncurses touch typing tutor |
| tt | Terminal based typing test |
| typtea | Typing speed tester supporting dozens of programming languages |
| Typeracer | Terminal typing game |
| thokr | Sleek typing TUI with visualized results and historical logging |
| Couik | Terminal-based typing test |
| OctoType | TUI typing trainer made with Ratatui |
| typomat | Command-line typing practice tool |
| Textype | Supports structured lessons, sentence practice, code typing |
| olagem | Terminal based typing speed test |
| Termitype | Feature-rich typing test with detailed performance statistics |
| typa | Minimal typing speed test focused on quick practice sessions |
This article has been updated to reflect the changes outlined in our recent announcement.
 Explore our carefully curated directory of recommended free and open source software, covering every major software category.The directory forms part of our extensive collection of articles for Linux enthusiasts. It includes hundreds of detailed reviews, together with free and open source alternatives to proprietary software from companies such as Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Cisco, Oracle, and Autodesk. LinuxLinks also covers interesting projects worth exploring, Linux-compatible hardware, free programming books and tutorials, and much more. Know a useful free and open source Linux application that we haven’t covered? Tell us about it using our submission form. |
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.