In an increasingly globalised world, accurate and reliable translation services are essential for businesses, legal professionals, government bodies and individuals alike. Whether you are expanding into new markets, submitting immigration paperwork, managing international legal contracts, or localising an e-commerce site, professional translation ensures that your message is understood across cultures.
One of the most commonly asked questions about translation services is: How much will it cost? Understanding translation service pricing helps you to plan your budget, avoid surprises and choose the right provider for your needs.
In this article, we will break down how translation services are priced, the factors that influence costs, example rates, how to request a quote and tips to help save you money.
How Are Translation Services Priced?
Translation services can be priced in several different ways depending on the requirements and scope of the project. Here is a breakdown of the most common models:
- Per-word pricing: This is the most common pricing model for written translations. Rates typically range from £0.08 to £0.14 per word for translation only and can be up to around £0.20 per word if revision and/or certification is needed as well. The exact rate will depend on various factors, including the language pair, complexity of the text and the service or services required. For example, a 1,000-word business document could cost between £80 and £140.
- Time-based pricing: Per-hour, per-day or even per-minute pricing is mostly used for interpreting, as well as many multimedia services (subtitling, video translation and transcription) based on the length of the video or audio. Hourly rates for interpreting usually range from £80 to £120 per hour; like with translation, interpreting costs can vary depending on the subject matter, the type of interpreting requested (consecutive or simultaneous, in-person or virtual) and whether specialist equipment is needed. If you need an interpreter for a full day, or even multiple days, they will typically charge per day, usually around £500 to £1,000 for a full working day. More information on the different types of interpreting can be found here.
- Per-document fees: Certified translations often come under a flat fee, starting at around £66 per document. The price can increase with length, complexity or additional certification requirements, and will also vary depending on the language pair.
- Flat rate vs. custom quotes: Some translation agencies offer flat rates for standard documents (e.g. birth certificates), while others provide custom quotes based on your specific requirements.
Real-Life Example:
Business Language Services, a UK-based translation agency, charges between £0.08 and £0.14 per word for translation only, depending on the complexity of the language. Additional proofreading and editing stages come with additional fees.
Factors That Influence Translation Costs
Translation pricing is not just about the word count. Several key variables come into play when considering translation costs:
- Language Pair: Common pairs like English to Spanish are more affordable than less common ones like English to Japanese or English to Icelandic due to translator availability. Certain markets can also be more expensive than others, due to differences in cost of living and currency exchange rates – for example, languages like Norwegian or Canadian French will typically be priced higher than other similar languages like German or European French.
- Subject Matter Complexity: Legal, medical and technical texts require translators with specific knowledge and experience and so often cost more, due to the specialist terminology and accuracy required.
- Urgency and Turnaround Time: Need a document translated overnight? Expect to pay a premium. Rush fees are common for tight deadlines.
- Volume of Content and Repetition: If your content includes repeated phrases or structures, agencies may use computer-assisted translation (CAT) tools to improve translation efficiency, allowing them to offer discounts on repetitions.
- Certification Requirements: Standard certified translations cost less than notarised or apostilled versions, which involve sending the translated documents to legal professionals, which incurs additional costs.
- Formatting or Layout Needs: Brochures, scanned PDFs or documents with complex formatting may incur desktop publishing (DTP) fees or require manual layout adjustments.
Typical Price Examples and Use Cases
Here is a quick look at average pricing across different services.
| Type | Typical Cost (UK) | Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| General Document Translation | £0.08–£0.19 per word | Business emails, websites |
| Certified Translation (Standard) | From £66* per document | Academic certificates, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, police certificates |
| Notarised Translation | £225* | Legal contracts, official letters |
| Apostilled Translation | £348* | Overseas legal recognition, immigration documents |
| Interpreting Services | £80–£120* per hour | Conferences, court hearings, medical appointments, HR meetings, trade missions |
*Prices are inclusive of VAT
Understanding Certified and Official Translations
In some official scenarios, a basic translation is not enough. You may need certified or official versions. But what is the difference?
- Certified Translation: A signed statement from an accredited translation agency or qualified translator, confirming that the translation is accurate and complete. Accepted by most major organisations and government bodies. Usually only valid in the country where the translation was certified.
- Notarised Translation: A solicitor or notary public confirms the validity of the translator’s declaration. Often needed for courts or sensitive legal procedures such as citizenship applications.
- Apostilled Translation: Involves official government certification that the information in the original document and translation is accurate, usually via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in the UK. Typically only needed for official government-issued documents, such as birth and criminal record certificates, whose translation is to be used in another country.
Find out more about the different certified translation options here.
Use Example:
For UK visa applications, the Home Office requires certified translations. It is recommended that translations are completed by an agency accredited by the ATC (Association of Translation Companies) or ITI (Institute of Translation & Interpreting) to ensure authenticity and acceptance.
How to Get a Quote for Translation Services
Getting an accurate quote is easy if you know what details to provide. Most agencies will ask for:
- Word count or number of documents
- Language pair (e.g. English to French)
- Subject matter (legal, medical, technical, etc.)
- Format (Word document, scanned PDF, website)
- Deadline
- Certification needs
The agency will almost always need to receive your documents before providing a binding quote, as they will need to assess the formatting and analyse the word count.
Methods to Request a Quote:
- Email: Attach your documents and ask for a breakdown.
- Online form: Many providers offer instant quotes, such as our quick quote form.
- Live chat: Ideal for quick questions or clarifications. Our Live Chat assistant, Sophie, is ready to answer your questions, 24/7.
Tips for Saving Money on Translation Services
Translation does not have to break the bank. Here are smart ways to reduce costs:
- Leverage repetitive content: If your material repeats phrases or sections, ask the translation agency about CAT tool discounts.
- Ask about minimum charges: Most translation agencies apply minimum charges for smaller documents, so it is wise to group smaller documents together.
- Ask about volume discounts: Larger projects often qualify for volume discounts or retainer rates.
- Plan ahead: Avoid rush fees by giving the translator a reasonable timeline.
- Choose the right certification: Don’t pay for notarisation if a standard certification will do. More information on certification options can be found here.
How to Choose the Right Translation Provider
Selecting a translation agency is about more than just price. Here is what to look for:
- Accreditation: Reputable providers are members of the ATC, ITI or hold ISO certification.
- Transparent pricing: Avoid vague quotes or unclear fees.
- Positive reviews: Check Google reviews for client feedback.
- Sample translations: Some providers offer samples for larger projects, helping you gauge quality.
- Beware of red flags: Extremely low prices, unrealistically fast turnaround times or lack of official accreditation can be signs of poor quality or inexperience. This can end up costing you in the long run, so choose carefully. For help choosing the right translation provider, read our helpful blog.
Understanding how translation services are priced, and what influences those costs, empowers you to make smart, budget-conscious decisions. Whether you are translating a birth certificate or an entire website, knowing what to expect helps you avoid overpaying while still securing high-quality, professional results.
If you are ready to get started, gather your documents, define your needs and request a few quotes. The right provider will not only speak your language, but they will also help your message resonate across borders.
Why choose Business Language Services for your certified translation?
We have over 30 years of experience providing high-quality certified translation services, working with many different documents and over 500 language combinations. Our expert project management team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have and can advise you on the type of certification you are likely to need.
For more information or to get a quote, speak to one of the team today on +44 (0)29 2066 7666, by email at in**@*************************co.uk, or use our online quote form.
You can also find more information about the specific types of certified translations we offer here.
