4 min read
Why I quote per word, and when I don’t
Per-word pricing is clear for most written work. Here is how a quote is built, and the cases where an hourly or day rate is fairer.
Most translation in the US is priced per source word. It is easy to understand, and it lets you compare quotes side by side. It is not the only fair way to price work, though.
How a per-word quote is built
I count the words in your source file, apply the rate for the language pair and the subject, and add any extras you ask for, such as layout work or a second reviewer. Every quote lists each line, so you can see where the total comes from.
When another model works better
Editing a translation someone else produced is quoted per hour, because the effort depends on the quality of the draft rather than its length. Short urgent jobs have a minimum fee. Interpreting is always quoted per half day or full day, plus travel when it applies.
What changes the price
Specialist subjects, tight deadlines and scanned files that need retyping all add time. Repeated text, such as a manual where whole paragraphs appear twice, brings the price down. I will tell you which of these applies before you agree to anything.
Ready to start a project?
Send your text and deadline. You will have a fixed quote within one business day.