Most professional translation projects are priced per source word of the source text — the original language of the document. This ensures predictable pricing before the project begins.
Why it matters: Because if a translator or agency charged you by target word (the translated version), there would be no way to know the total cost in advance. For instance, Spanish translations often contain more words than English texts, so a project priced per target word could end up costing more than expected. Pricing by source word provides transparency and helps clients plan their budgets accurately.
Tip: You can easily estimate your document’s word count in most programs—for example, in Microsoft Word: Review → Word Count.
The level of difficulty, terminology, and required expertise all affect translation cost.
General texts such as simple business documents or brochures cost less.
Specialized texts (legal, medical, or technical) require subject-matter expertise and precise terminology.
Creative texts (marketing, advertising, or cultural content) often involve transcreation, balancing accuracy with tone and cultural nuance.
Why it matters: The more specialized or creative a text is, the more time and expertise it demands. Translators invest research and revision time to ensure precision and natural flow — not just word-for-word accuracy. This specialized work is reflected in the rate.
Translation speed is another factor influencing cost. Professional translators maintain a balance between speed and quality, ensuring accurate, polished results.
Note on translation speed: Machine translations (AI-generated translations) can produce text much faster, but these often require human post-editing to correct errors, ensure fluency, and adapt meaning — especially for specialized or public-facing content.
Projects that require desktop publishing, formatting adjustments, or certification may take longer to complete. Rush projects can be delivered sooner for an additional fee.
Why it matters: Rushed translations require extended work hours or multiple translators collaborating simultaneously. A realistic timeline allows for proper review and quality assurance, ensuring your translation is both accurate and consistent.
The combination of languages — known as the language pair — also affects translation pricing.
The source language is the language of your original text.
The target language is the language into which it will be translated.
Rates may vary depending on whether the translation needs to be localized for a specific country or remain neutral.
For example, it usually costs more to localize a translation for a specific country (for instance, adapting Spanish to Argentina) than to produce a neutral version with no regionalisms.
Why it matters: Localization requires additional cultural and linguistic adaptation to ensure that the translation sounds natural to the intended audience, aligns with local norms, and uses region-specific terminology.
Several other elements can affect your translation estimate:
File format: Editable files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are faster to process than non-editable formats such as PDFs or images.
Formatting and layout: Documents with graphics, tables, or complex layouts may need extra formatting work.
Certification or notarization: Official documents (for immigration, legal, or academic use) include the preparation of signed and stamped pages.
Repetitions and translation memory: Repeated content can qualify for discounts thanks to translation memory tools that recognize previously translated text.
Why it matters: These aspects determine how much manual preparation, formatting, and quality control your document requires. Transparent pricing ensures that each step of the process — from formatting to proofreading — is fairly valued.
Clear cost structures help clients plan ahead and compare equivalent services. Transparent pricing builds trust, fairness, and accountability, while also reflecting the professionalism and ethical standards of the translation industry.
To receive a precise estimate, simply send us your document (editable or scanned). We’ll analyze the word count, subject complexity, language pair, formatting needs, and deadline.
You’ll receive a detailed quote within 24 hours, with clear pricing and delivery timelines. No hidden fees — just a transparent, professional approach.
Do you have a minimum fee?
Yes. Short documents may be subject to a minimum charge to cover project setup, communication, and administrative time.
Do you offer discounts for large projects?
Yes. We provide volume discounts and translation memory savings when applicable. We also provide special pricing for new customers and nonprofit organizations.
Can I get an estimate before confirming the project?
Absolutely. Just send us your file and we’ll provide a free, no-obligation quote within one business day.
Are machine translations cheaper?
They can be, but they often require post-editing to meet professional quality standards. We can combine AI translation with expert human editing to reduce costs while maintaining accuracy.
What’s the best way to reduce translation costs?
Provide editable files, avoid last-minute requests, and maintain consistency across documents to benefit from translation memory discounts.
Transpanish offers professional translation services in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with over 20 years of experience. Guaranteed quality, competitive rates, and personalized service for businesses and organizations worldwide.
