"Touch typing" and "normal typing" aren't precisely defined terms, but the distinction matters. Touch typing refers to the formal method where all ten fingers are assigned to specific keys and the typist never looks at the keyboard. "Normal typing" (sometimes called hunt-and-peck, or more charitably, self-taught typing) covers everything else: two-finger typing, six-finger hybrid methods, and any approach where the typist looks at the keyboard at least some of the time. Most people on the internet type with some form of self-taught method. The question is whether switching to formal touch typing is worth the effort.
Speed Ceilings
This is where the data is clearest. Studies of large typing-test populations consistently show that touch typists have a higher speed ceiling than self-taught typists. The average touch typist scores 60–80 WPM, with practised touch typists regularly reaching 80–110 WPM. The average self-taught typist scores 40–60 WPM, with exceptional self-taught typists reaching 70–90 WPM. The difference is not about finger speed — self-taught typists often have very fast individual finger movements — but about bottlenecks. When two consecutive keys are assigned to the same finger (because the typist only uses four or six fingers), that finger has to move, press, release, move again, and press again, while other fingers sit idle. Touch typing distributes the workload evenly, which means the next key is almost always handled by a different finger that's already in position.
Accuracy
Touch typists tend to have better accuracy (fewer errors per 100 words) than self-taught typists of the same speed. The reason is that touch typing produces consistent, repeatable finger motions for each key, which makes error patterns predictable and trainable. Self-taught methods often involve ad-hoc finger assignments that shift depending on the surrounding keys, introducing variability that's harder to correct through practice. Accuracy matters for net typing speed because every error requires a correction (backspace + retype), which costs roughly three times the time of a correct keystroke.
Ergonomics
Touch typing was designed in part for ergonomic reasons. The home-row position keeps your hands centered and your fingers close to every key, minimising reach distance and reducing wrist deviation. Self-taught typists often develop asymmetric postures — one hand does most of the work, the other hunts for keys at awkward angles — which can contribute to repetitive strain injuries over years of heavy use. If you type more than three to four hours per day, the ergonomic argument for touch typing is significant regardless of speed considerations.
The Transition Cost
The biggest argument against switching is the temporary speed drop. When you start touch typing after years of a self-taught method, your speed will plummet — often to 15–25 WPM — because you're overwriting deeply ingrained muscle memory with new patterns. Most people report that the first week is the worst, the second week shows rapid improvement, and by week three or four they're approaching their pre-switch speed. Full recovery and then exceeding your old speed typically takes one to three months of daily practice. During this transition, typing at work or school will feel frustrating. Some people manage the transition by using touch typing for practice sessions and reverting to their old method for real work, then gradually extending the touch-typing hours as their speed recovers.
When Not to Switch
If you're a self-taught typist who already types at 80+ WPM with good accuracy and no discomfort, switching to formal touch typing will give you a marginal speed increase at the cost of a significant temporary disruption. The return on investment is low. Similarly, if you rarely type more than an hour a day and your current speed is adequate for your needs, the transition effort probably isn't justified. Touch typing is most worth learning when: you type below 60 WPM and want to go faster, you type many hours per day and experience fatigue or discomfort, or you want to reach 100+ WPM for competitive or professional purposes.
The Verdict
Touch typing is objectively better for most people in terms of speed ceiling, accuracy, and ergonomics. But "better" doesn't always mean "worth switching to." If you're happy with your speed and comfort, your current method works. If you want to improve and you're willing to invest a few weeks of discomfort, touch typing will almost certainly take you further than refining your self-taught method. The best way to decide is to take a Typing Speed Test, note your WPM and accuracy, and honestly assess whether you've hit a plateau that technique — not just practice — could break through.