Why You Should (Seriously) Consider Typing Speed When Hiring Developers

I'm going to say something that probably goes against every piece of hiring advice you've ever heard for software developers: you should pay attention to how fast they type.

I know, I know. It sounds ridiculous. Typing speed has nothing to do with problem-solving, code architecture, or debugging skills. And you're right. But I'm not suggesting you hire the person with the highest Words Per Minute (WPM). I'm suggesting that typing speed is a *symptom* of something much more important: passion.

The Official Wisdom: Typing Speed is Meaningless

Let's get this out of the way first. The research is clear. Studies from Microsoft and others have all concluded there is little to no correlation between typing speed and developer productivity or code quality.

As one paper famously put it, "Programmers Are Not Typists." The argument is that development is a cognitive activity, not a mechanical one. Most of a developer's time is spent thinking, reading, and debugging—not hammering away at a keyboard.

Here's What I've Seen in the Real World

While the research isn't wrong, it misses a crucial piece of the puzzle. In my experience, the developers who are truly passionate about their craft—the ones who code in their spare time, build side projects, and are genuinely excited by technology—almost always type fast.

Why? Because they've spent thousands upon thousands of hours in front of a computer, not just for work, but because they love it. Their high typing speed isn't a skill they trained for; it's a natural side effect of their dedication. They've spent so much time interacting with a keyboard that it has become an extension of their thoughts.

Typing Speed as a Passion Detector

A developer who types at 40 WPM might be fantastic at their job. But a developer who types at 100+ WPM has likely put in an incredible amount of time honing their skills, both professionally and personally. They've probably been obsessed with computers since they were young.

These are the people who will pour that same passion into your product. They aren't just clocking in and out; they care deeply about building something great. They are the "10x developers" we're all looking for—not because they write code 10 times faster, but because their passion and dedication lead to 10x better outcomes.