Embodiments relate to systems and methods for touch-based two-stage text input. An electronic device (102), such as a wearable wireless device, can be configured with a two-stage input interface (116) on a display (104). A first stage can include a seek area (120), which displays a subset of letters or other symbols to represent the full range of symbolic elements that are available, in a compressed form. The user can identify an intended target range (128) by touching an area at or around the letter or other symbol of interest. That input triggers the display of a second stage of the interface in a separate selection area (122), in which all letters or other symbols in the target range are expanded and displayed. The user can then touch and lift off the letter or other symbol they wish to choose, for example, to insert in a message or application.