Use the same language, keyboard layout, duration and input method when tracking progress. SquidType supports eight prompt languages and reports WPM using five correct characters per standardized word, but cross-language scores are still influenced by script and familiarity.
Key takeaways
- Keep the same layout when measuring progress.
- Do not compare QWERTY and AZERTY scores without context.
- Arabic uses right-to-left prompts but the site interface stays in English.
- Russian practice requires a Cyrillic input layout enabled on the device.
Common Latin keyboard layouts
QWERTY
QWERTY is common in English-language markets and appears in multiple national variants. Symbol locations, Enter key shape and punctuation can still differ.
AZERTY
AZERTY is widely associated with French typing. The positions of A, Q, W, Z and several number-row symbols differ from QWERTY, so an English score from one layout does not automatically predict performance on the other.
QWERTZ
QWERTZ variants are used in German-speaking and Central European contexts. Y and Z are exchanged relative to QWERTY, and language-specific characters may be available directly.
Arabic and Cyrillic input
Arabic prompts read right to left, while numbers and some punctuation can introduce direction changes. SquidType marks the prompt direction correctly but leaves all controls in English, as requested for a consistent site interface.
Russian prompts use Cyrillic characters. Your operating system must have a Russian input layout enabled. An on-screen keyboard can help during early practice, but stable progress comes from learning the layout you will actually use.
Language menu: SquidType lists every language by its English name first—such as Arabic and Russian—followed by the native label to help identify the correct input layout.
How to compare multilingual results fairly
- Use the same device and physical keyboard.
- Keep test duration and mode identical.
- Confirm the active software layout before starting.
- Compare accuracy as well as WPM.
- Track each language as a separate progression series.
SquidType uses standardized five-character words, which avoids relying on natural word length. It does not remove every language difference. Familiar vocabulary, accents, diacritics, script direction and punctuation still change difficulty.
How to switch test languages
Open the Language dropdown above the prompt and choose English, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese or Italian. The next prompt loads immediately. Change your operating-system input layout to match before typing.
For steady progress, remain with one language for several sessions. Switching is useful for multilingual work, but each layout needs enough repetition for reliable key-location memory.
Frequently asked questions
Can WPM be compared across languages?
Only cautiously. SquidType uses five correct characters as one standardized word, but script, word length, punctuation, familiarity and input method still affect difficulty.
Which keyboard layout should I use?
Use the layout you rely on for real work or study. Consistent practice on one layout builds stronger key-location memory than frequent switching.
Does SquidType support Russian and Arabic?
Yes. The language dropdown includes English, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese and Italian. The site interface remains in English.
Sources and methodology
SquidType links to these sources for definitions or context. Recommendations and explanations on this page are original editorial content.
Words per minuteBackground on standardized WPM measurement.Google multilingual site guidanceContext on page language and clearly separated language experiences.Take a free online typing test, view your chart, and download a named result certificate.
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