What is ARRRType?

Updated

ARRRType is a free, open-source typing game website with a pirate theme. It is built for people who want to learn touch typing or improve their typing speed, and it offers a variety of exercises and games rather than a single drill. If you are looking for a no-cost way to practice typing in a more playful format, it fits that use case; if you need structured courses, certifications, or classroom management tools, that is not what this site is described as providing.

What ARRRType offers

Based on the site's own description, the core features are:

  • Typing exercises — practice material aimed at touch typing and speed improvement.
  • Games — typing practice presented in game form rather than plain text drills.
  • Variety — multiple exercise and game types, so practice is not limited to one format.
  • Pirate theme — the visual and naming style is built around a pirate motif ("by pirates for pirates").

Who it is for

You want to… ARRRType fits?
Learn touch typing from scratch Yes — exercises are aimed at this
Improve existing typing speed Yes — speed improvement is a stated goal
Practice through games instead of plain drills Yes — games are a core feature
Use a free tool Yes — described as free and open-source
Inspect or modify the source Yes — it is open-source
Follow a formal graded curriculum Not indicated by the site description

Free and open-source: what that means here

"Free and open-source" describes two separate things. Free means there is no cost to use it, according to the site's own description. Open-source means the underlying code is available, so technically inclined users can inspect it, and developers can potentially run or adapt it themselves. The site description does not specify a license, so check the project's repository if licensing matters for your use.

How to start

  1. Open arrrtype.com in a browser.
  2. Choose an exercise or a game from the available options.
  3. Type the displayed text or respond to the on-screen prompts.
  4. Repeat and vary the exercise type to work on both accuracy and speed.

The exact menu labels and layout are not documented in the available source material, so expect to orient yourself once you land on the page.

Practical notes

  • Typing improvement comes from regular, short sessions with attention to accuracy first, then speed — the site provides the material, but consistency is on you.
  • Because it runs in a browser, no installation is described as required.
  • If you want to self-host or contribute, the open-source nature of the project is the relevant entry point; look for the project's code repository.