Anyone who orders translations regularly knows the dilemma: the market is confusing and prices vary, sometimes per word, sometimes per line, sometimes as a flat rate. At the same time, quality is expected, often under time pressure and with sensitive content.
So what does a “good” translation really cost?
In this article we explain how prices are made up, why a flat-rate calculation often makes little sense, and why an individual quote is the fairest approach for both sides.
Price per word or price per line: what is the difference?
Two models are established in Germany:
Price per word
- Common internationally (for example among English-speaking agencies)
- Basis: the number of words in the source or target text
- Advantage: transparent and easy to measure in digital texts
Price per standard line (55 characters including spaces)
- Still widespread in Germany
- Basis: number of characters, converted into lines
- Advantage: also takes sentence structure and text density into account
Both models are legitimate, but they cannot be compared directly.
What counts is: what is included in the price, and what is not?
What actually influences the price of a translation?
A professional calculation takes into account:
| Criterion | Effect on the price |
| Language combination | Less common languages are usually more expensive |
| Subject area | Medicine, law, engineering: high demands |
| Type of text and style | Advertising copy (transcreation) takes more effort than factual texts |
| Delivery format | PDF, XML, InDesign: additional work |
| Urgency | Express surcharges under time pressure |
| Quality level | Translation plus revision (ISO 17100) or raw text only? |
| Post-editing or human translation | Different processes and target quality |
That is why Global Mundi always prepares an individual quote, based on a project analysis.
Why we do not publish “standard prices”
We know that price lists can provide orientation.
But every translation is different. And a “cheap” price quickly becomes expensive if…
- important information is missing
- the style or tone does not fit
- queries and correction rounds cost time and money
- legal or factual errors occur
Global Mundi stands for quality, reliability and process security, not translations off the peg.
Our quote: transparent and easy to follow
- Free briefing call or text analysis
- A quote with clear information:
- scope of services
- turnaround time
- language combination
- review steps included (for example revision and QA)
- Transparent itemisation of all costs
- Option of framework agreements for regular volumes
For regular clients with a monthly volume above €5,000 in particular, we offer individual rates without a minimum charge, on the basis of long-term cooperation and planning security.
The price is only part of the picture
A good translation is not cheap, but worth its price.
It builds trust, prevents mistakes and contributes to a company’s success.
Global Mundi offers fair, comprehensible prices based on real project requirements.
Request an individual quote now: tailored, transparent and reliable.
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