How Much Does a Translation Cost and What Affects the Price?

How much does a translation cost? It’s a question almost everyone asks when looking for language services. And the answer? It depends on many factors. Quotes often vary significantly – and for good reason. Translation pricing is influenced by several variables, from the volume of text and language combination to the level of service required. In this article, we’ll explain what determines the price and how businesses can reduce costs without sacrificing quality.

1. Text Volume, Technology, and a Tailored Approach

The foundation of any quote is the volume of text, usually calculated by:

• the number of standard pages (1 SP = 1,800 characters including spaces), or
• the word count in the source file.

For larger volumes or regular cooperation, modern CAT tools (computer-assisted translation) help identify repeated segments – typical in manuals, technical files, or updates. This reduces the need to retranslate the same content, resulting in significant cost savings.

We also use proprietary translation tools and specialized dictionaries to ensure accuracy and consistent terminology across all assignments.

Each project is priced individually, considering the language pair, subject matter, format, delivery deadline, and the purpose of the translation. Our goal is always to deliver the best possible value for your investment.

2. Language Pair and Subject Matter

A translation from English to Czech is not priced the same as one from Japanese to German. The complexity of a general business text also differs greatly from legal, medical, or technical documents.

For specialized content, we work with translators who are experienced in the relevant industry – often experts who understand both the language and the subject. This ensures translations that are not only accurate, but also clear and useful in practice.

3. Translation as a Service – Not Just Word Conversion

Professional translation today involves more than just converting words. Many business projects require a comprehensive process that can include:

• translation or localization by a qualified linguist,
• linguistic or expert proofreading,
• internal quality checks (brief, formatting, terminology),
• graphic processing (e.g. InDesign layout, technical diagrams),
• in-context review within a website or app,
• incorporating client feedback or requested edits.

The result? A ready-to-use deliverable – with no extra steps required on your part.

4. File Format and Turnaround Time

Both the file format and the required deadline can impact the price:

• Editable formats (like Word) are easier to process than scanned PDFs or engineering drawings.
• Urgent projects (e.g. next-day delivery) may require multiple translators or workflow adjustments – often with additional fees for fast turnaround.

We always seek the most effective solution that meets client expectations, whether it’s through our in-house DTP team or by minimizing rush fees.

5. Why the Lowest Price Isn’t Always the Best Choice

Comparing quotes by price is understandable. But translation isn’t a standardized product – price differences often reflect differences in quality, accuracy, and reliability.

A very low quote might mean:

• machine translation without proper post-editing,
• no proofreading,
• inconsistent terminology, or
• poor adherence to formatting and instructions.

This can result in text that is inaccurate, unusable, or costly to fix later.

SO, HOW MUCH DOES A TRANSLATION REALLY COST?  

The cost of translation depends on many factors – from text volume to subject complexity. The key is finding a balanced solution that meets both your quality standards and budget. Transparent pricing, smart use of technology, quality control, and full-service delivery – all of these ensure a translation you can truly rely on.

Prices of translations and services

Marek Šauer | 02.06.2025

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