Translation Cost Calculator (Word Count & Fuzzy Matches)

How it works

Weighted words = Σ words in band × band weight (repetitions/100% 25%, 95–99% 40%, 85–94% 60%, 75–84% 80%, new 100%); translation = weighted × rate; + review 30–45%; × (1 + rush); max(minimum fee); × languages

Translation is priced per source word, but not every word costs the same: translation-memory tools compare each sentence with previously translated material and report exact and partial (“fuzzy”) matches, which are charged at a fraction of the new-word rate because the linguist only checks or lightly edits them. The resulting weighted word count — often 60–80% of the raw count for updated documentation, far less for software strings with heavy repetition — times the rate gives the translation fee, to which agencies add independent review (the “TEP” model of translate, edit, proof), project management, rush surcharges for anything faster than about 2,000–2,500 words per translator per day, and a minimum fee for tiny jobs. Rates differ by language pair and subject: common European pairs cost least, rare languages, legal, medical and marketing transcreation the most.

Worked example

12,000 words with 15% repetitions, 10% high, 10% mid and 5% low fuzzies leaves 60% new: 9,330 weighted words. At $0.12 that is $1,120 of translation plus 30% review — $1,455 per language, $4,366 for three languages, an effective $0.121 per source word; about four translator-days each.

Frequently asked questions