What is a 10-key experience? What are the requirements?
A “10-key” is usually the little section of a computer keyboard on the right-hand side (only “full” keyboards have them) that looks like a calculator. The ten-key experience determines the experience level of how well someone can use this keypad (and how fast).
10-key data entry expedites this process, focusing only on the repeatedly used number keys, 0 through 9. It is more efficient and might cause less physical stress on the body because you only need to focus on a few keys rather than the hundred-plus keys on a standard keyboard.
You may have heard of the 10-key keyboard pad… For those who don’t know, this is the number pad on the right side of most keyboards. The ten-key experience is basically a way of determining the experience level of how well someone can use this keypad (and how fast).
It’s slightly different than typing because rather than using the words per minute, it’s measured on how many keystrokes every minute a person can achieve only using the number pad – hence why it’s called kpm. In this guide, we’re going to explain a bit about what a 10-key experience is, and how you can increase yours!
If you see a job listing that calls for “10-key experience” (the only time I’ve ever seen those words together is in that context), the job probably involves a lot of data entry and they want to make sure you are fast at using the ten-key to enter numbers.
Of course, if it says “a ten-key experience” the use of the article suggests that the writer might be looking for an account of a particular thing that happened to someone using a ten-key.
I’m drawing a blank as to why such a thing would be interesting but there are lots of people in the world, so I’m sure someone has had “a ten-key experience” that’s worth relating.
A 10-key is typically a type of calculator that’s useful for accounting types of activities. Often, 10-keys are set so that you press the operand after the number, at least for addition and subtraction.
Learn 10 Key By Touch 2023
The 10 key pad is the group of numbers and symbols on the right side of most keyboards, it can also be a number pad with no keyboard attached. Ten key speed is measured with a Keystrokes per Hour Test.
Accuracy is extremely important in data entry because proof-reading is very difficult when you are trying to read a bunch of numbers. The minimum required KPH for many data entry jobs is 9,000. Scoring over 12,000 KPH with good accuracy (98%) on our free 10 key practice tests will qualify you for just about any data entry job.
Some employers will test your speed using the numbers only, by typing zip codes, and others will test you on all of the keys including the math symbols. If you want to know how your KPH test scores are calculated, see our ‘TEST‘ page.
10 KEY TEST INSTRUCTIONS
- Sign up for a free account if you are interested in getting a typing certificate.
- Type the line that is highlighted in green.
- Press enter at the end of each line
- You may use backspace to correct your errors, but don’t hold the backspace key down.
- The test will scroll automatically after every 5th line.

What is 10 Key Experience Commonly Used In?
There are many jobs that require specific number crunching, very similar to those that used to use calculators back in the day. Data entry is just one of the popular jobs that use 10KE, and it’s popular in customer service jobs, as well as other jobs which involve high amounts of numbers to be used.
At the same time, many jobs as simple as front desk clerks often need a 10-key experience skill level simply because they have a lot of paperwork and more. You may have seen examples of this when you go to a doctor or a bank, and they’re simply using nothing but the tab key and the number pad.
What is the definition of 10 keys?
A numeric keypad, number pad, numpad, or ten key, is the palm-sized, usually-17-key section of a standard computer keyboard, usually on the far right. It provides calculator-style efficiency for entering numbers.
What are ten key data entry skills?
Here are some critical data entry skills that most employers seek:
- Typing speed.
- Typing accuracy.
- Communication skills.
- Time management.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to research and collect data.
- Understanding of essential software.
- Self-motivation.
Do I Need This Skillset?
As a matter of fact, most customer service or data entry jobs do require that you gain this skillset. If you haven’t yet, you can even take courses in college or go to a temporary employment agency to get the proper training. It’s best to get training at temp agencies though because they often allow people the experience to get other skills in, like spreadsheets, and even data entry.
An example:
If you have 10 cats, 2 monkeys, and 5 birds, and wanted to find out how many total animals you have, you would enter each key literally like this:
10 + 2 + 5 =
And then the calculator would display “17”. On a 10 key:
10 +
2 +
5 +
After you hit “10 +” the 10 key displays “10”. After “2 +”, display is “12.” And so on. You could easily subtract 2 by hitting “2 – “
The other thing about skills with a 10 key is just entry speed. Getting fast on a 10 key in the same way that people that have to type regularly are helped by increasing their typing speed.
What is a good 10 key speed? A ten key speed above 8,000 KPH (Keystrokes Per Hour) is higher than the average score, and over 10,000 KPH is usually considered a high speed (when it is achieved with zero errors).
What is a 10-key experience? What are the requirements?
What is a 10-key experience
Ten–key experience refers to the metric of how experienced someone is using the 10–key pad on a keyboard. This is used extensively in data entry jobs that may use numbers rather than letters on keyboards.
A good 10 key typing speed is 8,000 keystrokes per hour.
A 10 key typing speed that is accurate and over 10,000 keystroke per hour is considered above average. Some employers will have a required 10 key speed in order to be employed by their company, and this rate will vary by company.
Ten–key data entry, also tenkey or 10–key, uses the numerical keypad on a computer keyboard, a calculator or a 10–key pad to enter numeric data into computer systems and databases. … This skill is used in many jobs where you input financial, coding or number-based information.
10 Key Typing Test
- Type the highlighted portion then press enter.
- Use the small finger of your right hand to press enter.
- Place your middle finger over the key “5”, your index finger on “4” and ring finger on “6”.
- Remember not to use your left hand while practicing 10 key typing.
- Remember not to look at-the keyboard while typing.
10 Key Typing Test
- Type the highlighted portion then press enter.
- Use the small finger of your right hand to press enter.
- Place your middle finger over the key “5”, your index finger on “4” and ring finger on “6”.
- Remember not to use your left hand while practicing 10 key typing.
- Remember not to look at the keyboard while typing.
It takes less than 10 hours to learn to type with 10 fingers at about 15 words per minute and another 5 hours to reach hand writing speed of about 20 WPM. The best way is to learn over a short period of time. A lesson a day over 10 days and a further 5 days of practice-typing is recommended.
If you ever hear the term ‘10 key by touch‘, this just means that you are able to type without looking at the keys, this is important because if you have to look at the keys every time it will slow you down.

- What are the 10 key skills?
- What is a good speed for 10 key?
- How do I get 10 key certified?
- What is a good ten key score?
Can You Increase Your 10-Key Experience Yourself?
There are special ways that you can increase your 10KE on your own, and you can practice a lot on your own if you have a keyboard with a number pad. Unfortunately, some laptops and keyboards don’t have this, so one thing you can do is either buy a new cheap keyboard with one, or simply buy the number pad (which plugs in via usb) by itself. To practice and speed up your 10-key experience, simply:
- Turn the Num Lock on.
- Keep your middle finger on the #5 key.
- Index finger on the #4, and ring finger on the 6 key. 4, 5, and 6 are the home row.
- You can try different numbers while keeping your fingers in place. Start going with 4, 5, 6, repeat.
- Add numbers 7, 8, 9. Only moving the fingers above the home row one at a time. Then do the same when starting to work in 1,2, and 3. 0 is the last number you want to add to your keystrokes, and it should be hit with your thumb (not your fingers). Get a long number sheet online or do a practice test.
Conclusion;
Ten-key experience refers to the metric of how experienced someone is using the 10-key pad on a keyboard. This is used extensively in data entry jobs that may use numbers rather than letters on keyboards.
Using the 10-key pad on the computer makes it easier to only focus on numbers instead of having to deal with all of the letters and the number line at the top of the keyboard.
Ten-key experience refers to the metric of how experienced someone is using the 10-key pad on a keyboard. This is used extensively in data entry jobs that may use numbers rather than letters on keyboards.
Most typing courses will ultimately teach you 10-key, as well as life experiences. The more you use a keyboard, the better you’re going to get at using the 10-key as well. Another way you can practice on a computer is to bring up the calculator app.
You can start with working simple equations (1+1, 1+2, 1+3, 4+1, and so on) and increase your speed quickly. Of course, this isn’t just using the 10 number keys, but it does help.
Using the 10-key pad on the computer makes it easier to only focus on numbers instead of having to deal with all of the letters and the number line at the top of the keyboard.
Generally, 10-key experience is measured as “kpm,” or keystrokes per minute. This is similar to the “wpm,” or words per minute used as a typing metric. Ten-key experience is frequently necessary for several occupations, such as a work-at-home customer service agent, transcriptionist and medical coding and billing specialists.
To gain 10-key experience, one can take a course at a community college, use online tutorials, do training at a public library or get training at a temp agency. Temp agencies strive to employ individuals, so they often offer training in many other skills such as word processing, data entry, and spreadsheets.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median national wage for data entry keyers as of May of 2012 is $13.47 an hour, with the top ten percent earning $20.00 an hour.