How is translation priced?
No matter what type of content you need to be translated, understanding the average rates charged for translations is essential to ensure you get a good quality product at a fair price.
The cost of a translation is one of many considerations to make. The quality of the translation, the experience of the translators, and the turnaround time are all important factors to consider when selecting your service level. Translation rates are influenced by several factors, and it's essential to consider all these factors before choosing a level of service.
By closely examining the various factors that influence translation rates, you can make an informed decision and choose the best solution for your needs.
Before we look at the different service levels, the most common question is, "How are translation services charged?". At LEXIGO, we charge for translation by the word, which we detail below. Still, we also offer discounts for high-volume projects, unique requirements or partnerships.
However, it's good to have an understanding of the most common pricing models available, which are:
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Per-word: the cost of the translation is based on the number of words in the source document. This is the most common pricing model used by translation agencies.
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Hourly-rate: an hourly rate is charged based on the number of hours worked on a project.
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Flat-fee: a flat fee is a fixed rate charged for a translation project, regardless of the number of words or hours worked. This model is used mainly for smaller projects or minimum charges.
With detailed information below, some research and careful consideration of your options, you can be confident that you'll receive a high-quality translation within budget and suited to your needs.
What is the cost of a translation?
Translation costs vary depending on the language pair, subject matter, and region. Typically, we charge $0.12 to $0.25 per word for translation. This is merely an average, and translation costs can vary greatly (either more or less) depending on a variety of factors.
We help you compare different translation service levels in all our translation quotes so you can find the best rate for your needs. Additionally, we offer;
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Simple per-word pricing. Select the quality level you need and get an instant translation quote.
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Pricing that comes with 24/7 support, translation guarantees and dedicated project success managers.
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Integrated quality assurance with services and processes certified to ISO global standards for translation, privacy and quality.
We offer 4 levels of pricing listed below. In summary, each one reflects a level of service suitable to the requirements of your translation goals.
Prime: Professional Translation, Checking and Editing plus Proofreading by qualified human translators. Tailored specifically for marketing and public-facing content that demands the utmost accuracy and cultural sensitivity. With this exceptional offering, your translations are meticulously handled by two highly qualified native translators, ensuring impeccable quality, flawless grammar, and an authentic voice that resonates with your target audience.
Pro: Professional Translation plus separate Checking and Editing by qualified human translators. Designed to meet the diverse needs of businesses seeking high-quality translations for their content. This service package combines the expertise of our qualified human translators with a separate checking and editing process, ensuring accurate, polished translations tailored to your target audience.
Plus: Human-in-the-loop enterprise-level AI-powered translation. This type of translation is most suitable for comprehending texts or for personal use, but they are not recommended for publication. The translation is machine-generated and slightly edited by a professional translator, with only the most significant errors corrected.
Pure: Enterprise-level AI-powered translation designed specifically to cater to the needs of businesses with high-volume, low-value content. Our cutting-edge AI-powered machine translation system streamlines the process of translating vast amounts of content, ensuring a cost-effective and efficient approach to managing your global communication needs.
Translation pricing examples
The below pricing table is indicative only and based on average sized projects ordered for described type of work for LEXIGO clients. Prices will vary depending on language, size of project, scope of work and services and applicable discounts resulting from technology. For a fast and accurate translation quote, contact us.
ContentType | Prime | Pro | Plus | Pure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Personal Documents (passports, licenses etc.) | $50.00 | $45.00 | $25.00 | $10.00 |
Press Release (350 words) | $75.00 | $60.00 | $35.00 | $15.00 |
Multicultural Marketing Campaigns (20,000 words) | $4400.00 | $3600.00 | $2000.00 | $1000.00 |
Website - Large (10000 words) | $2200.00 | $1800.00 | $1000.00 | $500.00 |
Website - Medium (5000 words) | $1100.00 | $900.00 | $500.00 | $250.00 |
Website - Small (2000 words) | $420.00 | $350.00 | $200.00 | $100.00 |
Email (150 words) | $30.00 | $25.00 | $15.00 | $5.00 |
Blog post (500 words) | $100.00 | $90.00 | $50.00 | $25.00 |
Articles (500 words) | $100.00 | $90.00 | $50.00 | $25.00 |
Brochure (350) | $75.00 | $60.00 | $35.00 | $15.00 |
A4 Page (250) | $50.00 | $45.00 | $25.00 | $10.00 |
Product Descriptions (150 words) | $30.00 | $25.00 | $15.00 | $5.00 |
¹ Pricing is for example purposes only and are subject to change. For detailed and the most up to date pricing, please click here.
² Pricing above is in USD (United States Dollar) currency. For AUD and other currencies, please request a quote.
³ To cover production costs, we quote a minimum of 100 words per language.
17 quick tips to get accurate translation pricing
Here are some quick tips to summarise the best way to ensure you get a translation price that reflects your unique requirements and translation goals
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Understand the translation process and service levels and how it affects the cost.
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Search for translation agencies that charge a minimal fee to avoid overpaying for small projects.
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Ask about additional charges for specific services such as proofreading, editing, or formatting.
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Remember that different languages have different translation rates based on their complexity and demand in the translation industry.
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Consider a flat or guaranteed rate for translations with a specific word count or project size.
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Preparing the source content by adjusting the size and complexity of the content can be helpful before obtaining translation quotes.
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Research the average rates for translation services in your sector and region to understand the price range while considering certifications, the use case and other essential factors aligned with your objectives.
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Keep in mind that high-quality translations may have a higher cost in the short term, but may save you time and money in the long term.
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Consider the highest quality option for essential documents, such as birth certificates or legal documents, where accuracy is crucial.
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Use professional translators vs. bilingual speakers for accurate and high-quality translations.
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The original document may affect the cost of a translation, as it may require specialized formatting or have unique terminology.
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The main factors affecting translation rates are language combination, subject matter, and delivery times.
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Choose the best option based on the highest quality, average price, or minimum rate.
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Translation memory can reduce the cost of translations for repeated text.
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Native language translators can provide high-quality translations that accurately reflect the tone and meaning of the original text.
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Allow extra time for translations to ensure good results and avoid additional rush fees.
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Ensure your provider has a specific pricing model for the type of translation you need, such as marketing materials or legal documents.
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