A translation service costs $25 to $75 per page in 2026
A translation service costs $25 to $75 per page in 2026. Translayte lists business documents at $25 to $75 per page and standard words at $0.10 to $0.25. MotaWord lists $30 to $60 per page for certified work. PoliLingua lists $25 per page and starts at $0.07 per word. Language, subject, and speed change the final price. Ask for a quote.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Translayte | Translayte lists standard translation at $0.10 to $0.25 per word, business documents at $25 to $75 per page, and freelancers at $20 to $60 an hour. Note: translation company, not a national price guide. |
| PoliLingua | PoliLingua lists $0.07 per word for standard work, $25 per page, and a 20 percent rush charge. Note: translation company, not a national price guide. |
| MotaWord | MotaWord lists $0.12 to $0.25 per word and $30 to $60 per page for certified translation. Note: translation company, not a national price guide. |
Translation prices by type
| Type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Standard, per word | $0.10 to $0.25 | Translayte |
| Specialized fields, per word | $0.15 to $0.50 | Translayte |
| Business documents, per page | $25 to $75 | Translayte |
| Immigration documents, per page | $25 to $150 | Translayte |
| Certified, per page | $30 to $60 | MotaWord |
| Certified, per word | $0.12 to $0.25 | MotaWord |
| Standard document, per word | $0.07 | PoliLingua |
| Rare language pairs, per word | Up to $1.00 | PoliLingua |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Language pair | Common pairs cost less than rare ones. PoliLingua starts at $0.07 per word for Spanish or French and says rare pairs can reach $1.00 per word. |
| Subject | Legal, medical, and technical files need experts. Translayte lists $0.15 to $0.50 per word for specialized fields and $35 to $150 per page for medical work. |
| Certification | A signed statement of accuracy can add a fee at some firms. MotaWord says it includes certification at no extra charge, but others may bill for it. |
| Speed | Rush work costs more. Translayte says fast delivery adds 25 to 50 percent, and PoliLingua lists a 20 percent rush charge for 24 to 48 hours. |
| Volume | Big projects often cost less per word. PoliLingua says larger projects get a lower rate, and the same file can cost five times more at one agency than another. |
What the price includes
A price usually covers the translation and a check by a second person. Some firms include a signed certificate for official use. Rush delivery, notarization, formatting, and rare languages may cost extra. Ask if the quote is per word or per page, and what a page means, since a dense page has many more words. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Translation is sold by agencies, online platforms, and freelance translators. Most bill per word, per page, or a flat fee per document. Freelancers may bill by the hour, and Translayte lists $20 to $60. Agencies add steps like a second review, which costs more but adds quality checks. PoliLingua says the same document can cost five times more at one agency than another. Ask for a written quote that lists what is included. Compare at least three bids. Ask each firm what is in the price.
When you need this
You may need a translation for school records, birth or marriage papers, medical files, business contracts, or a website. Offices like immigration and courts often want a certified translation. Check the rules of the office that will get the file, then ask the translator if their work meets those rules.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the quote is per word, per page, or per document.
- Ask if certification and a second review are in the price.
- Ask what the rush fee is and what the turnaround time is.
- Ask who will translate and if they know your subject.
- Compare the total with the range above: $25 to $75 per page for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Compare at least three quotes. PoliLingua says the same document can cost five times more at one agency than another.
- Ask for a flat price per document. MotaWord says some providers charge a fixed rate for items like diplomas, which can be easier to plan for.
- Plan ahead and skip rush service. Translayte says fast delivery adds 25 to 50 percent to the price.
- Send clean, editable files. Clear text is faster to handle, and some firms charge more for scans that need typing out.
- Ask if certification is included. MotaWord includes it at no extra charge, so check before you pay a separate fee.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Translayte, PoliLingua and MotaWord. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does translation cost per word?
Translayte lists $0.10 to $0.25 for standard work. MotaWord lists $0.12 to $0.25 for certified work. PoliLingua starts at $0.07 and says rare languages can reach $1.00.
How much does translation cost per page?
Translayte lists $25 to $75 for business documents. MotaWord lists $30 to $60 for certified pages. PoliLingua lists $25 per page for standard and certified work.
How much does a certified translation cost?
MotaWord lists $30 to $60 per page. Translayte lists $20 to $150 per page for certified work such as birth certificates and passports. PoliLingua lists $25 per page.
How much do translators charge per hour?
Translayte lists $20 to $60 an hour for freelance translators and $50 to $150 for interpreters. PoliLingua lists $30 an hour for interpreting and proofreading.
Why is rush translation more expensive?
It takes extra people and overtime. Translayte says fast delivery adds 25 to 50 percent. PoliLingua lists a 20 percent charge for 24 to 48 hour delivery.