The first typing tutor for online use was created in 1991. This program could be used for free by any person wishing to use a typing tutorial to acquire or improve their typing skills. A typing tutorial is a way for an individual who wants to learn to type to do so without having to participate in a class, or for persons who need extra practice and help if they are participating in classes. There are typing tutors who offer assistance in learning how to type from classes given from learning centers or in high schools and colleges. There are typing tutor books available with diagrams of keyboards from which a person may learn how type, and there are free online typing tutors available on the internet.

Touch typing is the ability to look at a source of information or to create original text without looking at the keyboard and keeping one's eyes on the subject text or on the computer screen (or anything else for that matter). Typing tutorials provide the student the chance to learn how to type this way for quicker and more accurate typing with fewer mistakes. Accurate typing is necessary for any type of employment as a professional who had typing as one of the main functions of their job duties.

Online typing tutors coach the individual wanting to learn how to type by providing advice, keyboard diagrams, typing exercises and test score keeping, as well as suggestions for practice based on performance on tests. Some typing tutorials provide email reminders as to when the next a person's lesson is scheduled and what the student should be practicing. Some typing tutorials online may be easy to use for those who would like to learn to type in the privacy and convenience of their own home.

There are different types of free typing downloads. These downloads contain typing testers, automatic record keepers of past typing lessons, as well as printable diplomas when course work is complete. These downloads are updated and offer multiple typing lessons concentrating on typing speed accuracy and typing speeds of at least 60 words per minute (wpm) without mistakes.