This is important - don't do it!
Touch typing is a skill that uses muscle memory to know where the keys are without the sense of sight. You can't learn to swim without getting wet; likewise, you can't learn to touch type by looking down at the keyboard. It might be hard at first but hang in there, and in no time it will become so natural you'll forget the keyboard is even there!
If you have trouble finding a key resist the urge to look down. Instead, use the onscreen virtual keyboard with orange highlights telling you where the key is and what finger to use. Put a towel over your hands if you still can't resist.
Concentrate on correct form (using the right fingering, etc.) and accuracy above all else.
Speed will be guaranteed through good technique and will come in time by practicing often. Proceeding with an incorrect technique will limit your potential speed in the future.
Two different typing lesson formats give you more options to choose how you like to learn:
There is a reason why these repetitive lessons are so common: they work really well for those just starting to learn touch-typing.
Typing repeated letters in a random pattern is the fastest way to teach your mind how to automatically know where the keys are without you having to actually think about it - the basics of touch-typing.
For those just starting to learn touch-typing try these - they work!
These lessons are for those who might already have a basic understanding of the keyboard and need a quicker refresher or maybe learn some of the rarer keys better.
Advanced lessons are designed to move quicker through learning the keys while also introducing words instead of random letters.
Try both types of lessons to find the one you like best. Or, for best results, complete both sets!
The lesson length dropdown (under the method tabs in the left sidebar) allows you to customize the length of each lesson.
Now you have the ability to set typing goals for your typing lessons! Simply set the typing speed and accuracy you would like to achieve and the typing tutor will track your progress, letting you know which lessons you have completed and which ones you should repeat to achieve your goals.
As you improve and increase your target speed and accuracy, the tutor will automatically suggest lessons you should work on next!
Sometimes there are just a few keys you can't seem to remember. Simply enter the characters you wish to practice more in the left toolbar and click "Go!" to create a custom lesson for these keys, generated into random "words."
Keep your hands on the keyboard - use keyboard shortcut "Shift-Return" to restart the typing lesson to help you concentrate and keep your hands in the home position where they belong.
This free online typing tutor was designed to help you learn to type as fast and easy as possible. Try a few lessons a day and you'll start to notice your fingers naturally move to the right keys. Even if it seems at times that you are making no improvement, keep on working at it and you will learn to type without looking! Remember to take breaks often though - its good for the body and for the learning!