How Much Can You Expect to Pay for Professional Translation Services?

If you’ve ever tried to compare translation quotes, you’ll know the experience can be… daunting. Some providers charge per word, others per hour or per page. Some offer all-in-one packages, others break down services line by line. And while the goal might be to compare apples to apples, what you often end up with feels more like apples to aubergines.

This guide is here to simplify things. We won’t just show you average rates (though we will) we’ll also help you understand what drives those costs, what to expect from a professional provider, and how to make translation an efficient part of your operations rather than a recurring bottleneck.

Let’s break it down.

Operational Simplicity Starts With Clear Priorities

Before you even ask for a quote, make sure you’re clear on your project’s purpose. This will not only affect the type of service you need but also help providers give you a more accurate and efficient offer.

Ask yourself:

• Is this content customer-facing, legal, or internal? 
• Is quality, speed, or budget the top priority? 
• Is this a one-off request or part of a longer-term strategy? 

Having clarity on these questions allows both you and your provider to align on expectations (and avoid costly rework later).

What Affects the Cost of Professional Translation

In most cases, the final cost of a translation project comes down to three main factors:

1. Volume

Most providers price by word count. The more words, the higher the cost. However, large volumes may qualify for bulk discounts.

2. Complexity

Technical content (e.g. medical or legal documents) often requires specialist translators, subject-matter reviewers, or extra QA steps, which increases the price. Similarly, formatting-heavy files or hard-to-edit PDFs tend to take longer and cost more.

3. Turnaround Time

Standard delivery times are cheaper. If you need something yesterday, you’ll likely incur rush fees or higher rates to prioritise the job.

Keeping Costs Down Without Compromising Quality

Good translation does not have to break the bank. Here are some simple ways to save without cutting corners:

• Send clean, editable files (e.g. Word, Excel). Avoid scans or locked PDFs. 
• Provide reference materials, previous translations, and brand glossaries. 
• Batch requests instead of sending small, piecemeal jobs. 
• Avoid tight turnarounds unless absolutely necessary. 

Efficient inputs make for efficient outputs. They also allow your translation partner to use tools like translation memory to reduce repeat work over time.

What a Good Language Partner Should Offer

A professional translation provider goes beyond “word-for-word” delivery. At AdHoc, we know that good language partners are operational partners. That means:

• Asking the right questions about your goals and audience 
• Assigning subject-matter specialists when required 
• Leveraging technology like translation memory and QA tools 
• Providing full transparency around scope, process, and pricing 
• Helping you build internal workflows that reduce admin, not add to it 

If a quote looks too good to be true, it probably is. Cutting costs without structure usually ends in delays, inconsistencies, or post-delivery patchwork, none of which are free.

How to Compare Offers Simply and Effectively

When comparing translation quotes, consider:

• What is included in the rate (editing? formatting? revision rounds?) 
• How well the provider understands your goals 
• Whether they use tools that improve consistency and reduce future costs 
• How easy they are to work with, day to day 

The goal is not just to “buy a translation” but to set up a process that works every time.

Pitfalls That Cost More in the Long Run

It’s tempting to go with the cheapest quote, but the hidden costs of a bad fit can quickly add up. Common red flags include:

• Unclear inclusions: Does the price include proofreading? Review? DTP? 
• Lack of onboarding: No understanding of your brand voice, terminology, or priorities 
• Poor communication: Long email chains, vague timelines, unclear file handovers 
• Low-quality work: Resulting in internal revisions, reputation risks, or customer complaints 

Remember: your time has value, too. A partner who makes your life easier is worth more than one who forces you to micromanage.

So… What Do Translation Services Actually Cost?

Now that we’ve explored what affects translation costs and how to get the most out of your investment, let’s take a look at some current pricing benchmarks to help you contextualise your expectations.

⚠️ Disclaimer: The rates below are for illustrative purposes only. Pricing may vary depending on provider, language pair, subject matter, delivery format, and turnaround expectations.

Average Translation Rates by Service Type:

• Standard Translation (General Business Content)
  from USD 0.10 per word
  Common for marketing, websites, internal documents. 
• Certified Translation (e.g. Birth Certificates, Legal Docs)
  from USD 40 per page
  Includes official stamps, formatting, and verification. 
• Specialised Translation (Medical, Legal, Technical)
  from USD 0.15 per word
  Higher due to subject-matter expertise and liability risk. 
• Transcreation (Creative Adaptation)
  from USD 45 per hour or project-based
  Ideal for taglines, campaigns, and branding copy. 
• Machine Translation + Post-Editing (MTPE)
  from USD 0.05 per word
  Useful for high-volume content with lower stakes, such as internal documentation or product listings.

How Do We Calculate Translation Costs at AdHoc?

At AdHoc, we use our proprietary SmartDesk® platform to make the translation process more transparent, consistent, and cost-efficient. SmartDesk includes a powerful Translation Management System (TMS) that leverages translation memory and content repetition to reduce costs and streamline workflows.

Translation Memory & Fuzzy Matches

SmartDesk automatically scans your content for previously translated segments and repeated text. Using translation memory, it compares new content against what has already been translated in past projects — not just exact matches, but also partial ones. These are known as “fuzzy matches.”

The higher the degree of similarity between a new segment and a previous one, the higher the discount applied. For example, if a sentence is identical to something we’ve translated before, you’ll pay significantly less for it than for entirely new content. If it’s a partial match — say, only a few words differ — a partial discount is applied based on how close the match is.

This approach ensures that you’re not paying full price for content we’ve already handled, while also maintaining consistency across your documents and saving valuable time.

The SmartDesk Advantage

• Lower costs for repeated and previously translated content 
• Faster turnaround times on familiar content 
• Better consistency across languages and touchpoints 
• Clear reporting to show how each segment is categorised and costed

Whether you’re managing one translation or scaling across dozens of markets, SmartDesk helps you translate more efficiently, and more economically.

Final Thoughts: The Smart Way to Think About Translation Costs

Professional translation services should bring structure, clarity, and peace of mind. A good price is not always the lowest one: it’s the one that gives you reliable quality, aligned expectations, and fewer operational headaches.

By knowing what drives translation costs and what efficiency looks like in practice, you’ll be better equipped to select the right partner and get the best return on your spend.

At AdHoc, we help businesses streamline their localisation workflows by combining expert linguists with smart processes and clear communication. If you’re ready to make translation feel less like guesswork and more like a growth enabler, let’s talk.