Guides / How to stop looking at the keyboard

How to stop looking at the keyboard

Looking down costs you time every time your eyes move back to find your place. These habits help your fingers take over. They are practical suggestions rather than a proven method, so keep what works for you.

1. Use the bumps

The F and J keys have small raised bumps. Whenever you lose your place, feel for them rather than looking. This is the single most useful habit to build.

2. Give each letter one finger

Research on how people type found that fast typists tend to press each letter with the same finger every time. That consistency is what lets your fingers remember where to go. Our finger chart is a good starting point.

3. Slow down on purpose

Most people look down because they are rushing. Drop your speed until you can stay on the screen, and accept the mistakes for a while.

4. Make looking harder

Put a light cloth over your hands, or put small stickers over the letters you check most. A few short sessions like this can show you how much you already know.

5. Learn your problem keys

Notice which keys send your eyes down, often numbers and punctuation. Practice just those for a minute or two.

6. Practice where you cannot afford to look

A game with something to watch gives you a reason to keep your eyes up. In Type Hunters the phrases and the fight are on screen, and looking away costs you time.