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Translation Pricing
Transparent Translation Rates and What Drives Them
Translation is priced per source word, and the rate reflects the language pair, content type, required turnaround, and whether certification is needed. This guide explains how pricing works and what to expect before you request a quote.
How Translation Pricing Works
Per-Word Rates and the Variables That Affect Them
Translation agencies price by the source word because the number of words in the original document is objective and consistent regardless of the target language. The per-word rate varies based on the language pair (rare combinations cost more because fewer qualified specialists work them), the subject matter (legal and pharmaceutical content requires credentialed specialists and takes longer), and the turnaround window (expedited delivery carries a premium).
The figures below give a realistic range for each content type, but the only accurate price for your project is a quote based on your actual document. We provide free quotes within one business day, with no obligation to proceed. Volume discounts apply from around 5,000 words, and repeat clients benefit from translation memory reuse, which reduces the billable word count on updated documents.
Pricing Factors
What Affects Your Translation Cost
Language Pair
Common European pairs such as English to French, Spanish, or German attract lower rates because there is a large pool of qualified specialists. Less common combinations such as English to Finnish, Korean, or Swahili require rarer expertise and carry higher rates. Pairs involving a less resourced language with limited translation memory data also take longer and cost more.
Content Type and Complexity
General business correspondence and marketing copy sit at the lower end of the range. Legal contracts, pharmaceutical documents, and technical manuals require credentialed specialists, longer review cycles, and verified terminology, all of which are reflected in the rate. Patent translation and financial reporting typically sit at the high end due to the specialist knowledge required.
Volume and Translation Memory
Volume discounts typically begin at around 5,000 words and increase at higher thresholds. When you send us updated versions of previously translated documents, our translation memory identifies segments already translated and charges only for new or changed content. Long-running relationships with consistent documentation reduce cost over time.
Turnaround Time
Standard turnaround is typically 1,500 to 2,000 words per business day per translator. Expedited delivery that requires overtime, weekend work, or parallel assignment to multiple translators carries a surcharge. If your deadline is tight, mention it when you request a quote and we will confirm whether it is achievable and at what cost.
Certification and Notarization
A standard translation has no certification requirement. A certified translation adds a signed statement of accuracy and translator credentials, which is required for immigration, academic, and government submissions. A sworn or notarized translation adds legal attestation and is required for court documents and official legal proceedings. Each level adds cost and processing time.
Subject-Matter Specialization
Documents that require active professional expertise, such as pharmaceutical clinical trials, financial audits, or patent specifications, are assigned to translators with verifiable credentials in that field. The specialist rate reflects their qualification and the additional review steps applied to technically sensitive content.
Rate Ranges
Typical Rate Ranges by Content Type
The figures below reflect typical market rates for professional human translation into major European languages. Exact rates for your project depend on the variables described above. Use these as a planning guide and request a free quote for an accurate figure.
| Content Type | Indicative Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Business and General | from EUR 0.08 per word | Marketing copy, general correspondence, websites. Most European language pairs. |
| Technical and Engineering | from EUR 0.10 per word | Manuals, specifications, software documentation. Specialist vocabulary required. |
| Legal and Contracts | from EUR 0.12 per word | Agreements, court documents, regulatory filings. Legal background required. |
| Medical and Pharmaceutical | from EUR 0.13 per word | Clinical, regulatory, and patient-facing content. Life sciences specialist required. |
| Certified Translation | from EUR 0.12 per word + certification fee | Includes signed certification for official submission. Immigration, academic, business. |
| Sworn or Notarized Translation | from EUR 0.15 per word + attestation fee | Legal attestation for courts, embassies, and official proceedings. |
| Marketing and Transcreation | project rate (per 1,000 words) | Creative adaptation for advertising, brand content, and campaigns. Bespoke pricing. |
Rates shown are indicative and vary by language pair and project specifics. Request a free quote for an exact figure.
Client Reviews
What Our Clients Say
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Common Questions About Translation Pricing
Translation quality and rates are directly linked to who is doing the work. Automated machine translation is cheap but produces output that requires significant human editing and carries real risk for professional or regulated content. Agencies using unvetted freelancers can undercut the market, but with no quality assurance or accountability. Professional agencies like BeTranslated charge for qualified specialist translators, multi-stage quality review, and project management. The cost of a rejected regulatory submission or a legal dispute caused by a mistranslation far exceeds any savings made on a lower initial rate.
Yes. Most professional translation providers apply a minimum charge to cover project management, file handling, and quality review costs on small jobs. Our minimum is typically equivalent to around 250 words of standard translation. Short certified documents such as birth certificates and diplomas are priced as complete jobs rather than per word, because the specialist handling time is the same regardless of length.
Send us the document and tell us the target language, the deadline, and whether certification is required. We will return a fixed price quote within one business day, with no obligation. The quote will specify the per-word rate, any certification or rush fees, and the delivery timeline. For recurring work, we also propose a retainer or volume structure that reduces the unit cost.
Related Services
Translation Services HubAll professional translation specialisms in one place.Certified TranslationOfficial document translations accepted by USCIS and embassies worldwide.Sworn TranslationLegally recognized translations for courts, embassies, and immigration.Specialized TranslationSubject-matter experts for legal, medical, technical, and financial content.Professional Translators500+ native-speaking specialists matched to your document type.Get a Free QuoteFree quote returned within one business day, no obligation.
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