How Are Translation Prices Determined? A Transparent Pricing Guide

How Is a Translation Price Calculated?

In the translation industry, pricing is usually done per word, per page, or per hour. Each method has different advantages.

Per-Word Pricing

The most common method, per-word pricing, involves determining the total word count of the source text and multiplying it by the unit price. This method provides a predictable budget for the client on longer texts.

Per-Page Pricing

Especially in sworn translations, a standard A4 page (250 words) is taken as the basis. In Turkey, sworn translation fees are generally calculated on this unit.

Hourly Pricing

For spoken interpretation (conferences, courts, business meetings) and consultancy services, hourly billing is applied.

Factors Affecting the Price

Language pair: Common language pairs (English-Turkish, German-Turkish) may be more affordable, while rare combinations such as Norwegian-Turkish require higher fees. Level of content specialisation: There can be a 30-50% price difference between general texts and medical or legal content. Urgency: 24-hour delivery usually includes an additional rush fee on top of the standard rate. Sworn translation: The translator's signature and stamp incur additional costs; this is both a legal requirement and a guarantee of responsibility.

The "Cheap Translation" Trap

Some platforms that promise very low prices online offer machine translation with minimal editing. Such translations are rejected for official documents and prolong the process; they may ultimately end up costing more.

Questions to Ask Before Getting a Quote

• Is the price based on words, pages, or hours?
• If a notary visit is required, is the notary fee separate?
• Is there a revision right?
• How many business days is the delivery time?

Transparent Pricing at Zorlu Tercüme

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