Touch Typing Lessons

Lesson 6: Numbers

Revised March 2026 (what changed). If your curriculum requires the previous version, you can access it here.

Letters and punctuation are behind you. Now: digits. The number row sits above the letters, and this lesson will make reaching it automatic.

The number row is above the letter keys on the keyboard. Just like we learned letters by grouping them by finger for the top row and bottom row, we'll learn numbers the same way. Each finger is responsible for specific numbers: your left index finger types 4 and 5, while your right index finger types 6 and 7.

Each exercise includes the home row keys alongside the numbers, so you can practice the movement from home position to the number row and back.

The Number Row
The Number Row

How this lesson works: Each section has two exercises. Technique Training builds muscle memory through focused patterns. Practice applies what you've learned to real writing. Complete them in order for best results.

Index Finger Numbers

6.1 4 and 7

US QWERTY keyboard diagram with 4, 7 highlighted showing both hand positions

The first two number keys we will learn are typed with your index fingers: 4 7

Type 4 with your left index finger and 7 with your right index finger.

Typing Exercise 6.1a: Technique Training
44 77 44 77 4f4 7j7 4f4 7j7 f4f j7j f4f j7j 474 747 474 747 4ff 7jj ff4 jj7 4f7j 7j4f f4j7 j7f4 47 74 47 74 4f f4 7j j7
Typing Exercise 6.1b: Practice
Room 477: Typing class. Exercise 47: 47, 474, 747, 44, 77, over and over. She would rather be on a 747 to anywhere. 77 44 77 474. She was 77 percent sure she was losing her mind. And then, the last line...

Middle Finger Numbers

6.2 3 and 8

US QWERTY keyboard diagram with 3, 8 highlighted showing both hand positions

Now we'll learn the middle finger numbers: 3 8

Type 3 with your left middle finger and 8 with your right middle finger.

Typing Exercise 6.2a: Technique Training
33 88 33 88 3d3 8k8 3d3 8k8 d3d k8k d3d k8k 383 838 383 838 3dd 8kk dd3 kk8 3d8k 8k3d d3k8 k8d3 38 83 38 83 3d d3 8k k8
Typing Exercise 6.2b: Practice
8 words, buried in the drill: "the answer you seek is 38-83-88-33, number 747." The bell rang at 8:38. She packed up slowly, whispering it to herself: "38 83 88 33, 747. 38 83 88 33, 747."

Ring Finger Numbers

6.3 2 and 9

US QWERTY keyboard diagram with 2, 9 highlighted showing both hand positions

Great progress! Now let's learn the ring finger numbers: 2 9

Type 2 with your left ring finger and 9 with your right ring finger.

Typing Exercise 6.3a: Technique Training
22 99 22 99 2s2 9l9 2s2 9l9 s2s l9l s2s l9l 292 929 292 929 2ss 9ll ss2 ll9 2s9l 9l2s s2l9 l9s2 29 92 29 92 2s s2 9l l9
Typing Exercise 6.3b: Practice
Room 299. End of the 2nd floor hall. 92 steps from class. The last locker on the left: 747. She reached for the keypad.

Pinky Finger Numbers

6.4 1 and 0

US QWERTY keyboard diagram with 1, 0 highlighted showing both hand positions

Your pinkies have been doing the least work. That ends now. The 1 0 keys are way up there, and your pinkies are the only ones who can reach them.

Type 1 with your left pinky finger. This is the same key you used for ! in the previous lesson, but without holding shift. Type 0 with your right pinky finger.

The pinky reach to the number row is the longest stretch in typing. Take it slow. Accuracy matters more than speed here.

Typing Exercise 6.4a: Technique Training
11 00 11 00 1a1 0;0 1a1 0;0 a1a ;0; a1a ;0; 101 010 101 010 1aa 0;; aa1 ;;0 1a0; 0;1a a1;0 ;0a1 10 01 10 01 1a a1 0; ;0
Typing Exercise 6.4b: Practice
1:00 on the display, counting down. 1 try. She punched in 38 83 88 33. ...0:03, 0:02, 0:01, 0:00. The door sprang open.

Center Numbers

6.5 5 and 6

US QWERTY keyboard diagram with 5, 6 highlighted showing both hand positions

Plot twist: your index fingers have homework. They already learned 4 and 7, but 5 6 are hiding in the middle. Same fingers, extra stretch.

Type 5 with your left index finger and 6 with your right index finger.

Unlike 4 and 7, which sit directly above their home keys, 5 and 6 are shifted toward the center of the keyboard. Reach up and slightly inward: your left index finger moves up and a little to the right for 5, and your right index finger moves up and a little to the left for 6.

Typing Exercise 6.5a: Technique Training
55 66 55 66 5f5 6j6 5f5 6j6 f5f j6j f5f j6j 565 656 565 656 5ff 6jj ff5 jj6 5f6j 6j5f f5j6 j6f5 56 65 56 65 5f f5 6j j6
Typing Exercise 6.5b: Practice
Inside: a 1946 Remington No. 5, keys worn to brass. A 6-foot scroll of yellowed paper. And around the typewriter, like a shrine: a roller skate, a pet rock, a cassette tape, a Sega cartridge, a fidget spinner. 56 students. 56 treasures. A note on the door: "Add your line. Make it COUNT." No signature. No explanation. Who DID this? The 57th line was blank.

Summing Up

6.6 All Numbers: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

US QWERTY keyboard diagram showing number row showing both hand positions

You did it! You can now touch type any number. Let's put it all together and test your skills: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

Typing Exercise 6.6a: Technique Training
1234567890 0987654321 1a2s3d4f5f 6j7j8k9l0; 1357 2468 1470 2580 3690 123 456 789 012 345 678 901 234 1a1 2s2 3d3 4f4 5f5 6j6 7j7 8k8 9l9 0;0 147 258 369 159 357 456 a1a s2s d3d f4f f5f j6j j7j k8k l9l ;0; 12 23 34 45 56 67 78 89 90 01 123-456-7890 987-654-3210 14.95 1,024.99 01/15/2024 07/26/2015 90210 48205 192.168.0.1 127.0.0.1 101 292 383 474 565 656 747 838 929 010 8.23 -403.78 -0.25
Typing Exercise 6.6b: Practice
She fed the scroll into the carriage. A leetspeak riddle, she decided: 7h3r3 4r3 0n1y 10 7yp35 0f p30p13: 7h053 wh0 und3r574nd b1n4ry numb3r5, 4nd 7h053 wh0 d0n'7. Typed it clean, 0 mistakes, 100 percent accurate, perfect. Rolled up the scroll, unclipped the 3D-printed Benchy tugboat from her keychain, set it next to the fidget spinner, closed locker 747, stepped into math class. Late. Didn't matter. She opened her laptop and her fingers flew effortlessly across the numbers.

Numbers mastered. Locker combinations, phone numbers, prices, dates. They're all yours now. But look at your keyboard: every number key has a symbol hiding behind the shift key. $, %, &, *. That's the final lesson.

Next Lesson: Symbols