Writing Rate Calculator (per word / per 1,000 characters)

Understanding the writing rate calculator — concept and principle

Writers, translators and editors are often paid per word, while their real cost is time. This calculator converts a per-word rate into the fee for a piece, the equivalent price per 1,000 words and, most importantly, the effective hourly rate once research, drafting and revisions are counted. Use it to compare offers, set your own rates or decide whether a job is worth taking. It works with any currency.

How it is calculated

• Fee = words × price per word
• Price per 1,000 words = price per word × 1,000
• Effective hourly rate = fee ÷ hours spent
• Price per 1,000 characters (CJK) = price per word × 500

For Chinese, Japanese or Korean text, where "words" are not counted the same way, the calculator treats 2 characters as 1 word, so 1,000 characters count as 500 words. This is only an approximation, so agree the counting unit with your client in advance.

The principle

A per-word rate rewards output, an hourly rate rewards time. The two are linked by your writing speed: effective hourly rate = price per word × words per hour. Two jobs with the same per-word price can pay very differently per hour if one needs heavy research or many rounds of revisions. Converting everything to an hourly figure gives a common yardstick across clients, formats and pricing models.

Worked example

1. Fee = 1,500 × 0.15 = $225.00.
2. Price per 1,000 words = 0.15 × 1,000 = $150.00.
3. Effective hourly rate = 225 ÷ 4 = $56.25.
4. Price per 1,000 characters (CJK) = 0.15 × 500 = $75.00.

The writer produced 375 words per hour of total work, which at 0.15 per word gives 56.25 per hour.

How to read the result

Compare the hourly figure with your target hourly income, which should cover unpaid time (pitching, invoicing, learning) as well as taxes and benefits you pay yourself. If the effective rate is low, you can raise the per-word price, negotiate fewer revision rounds, or speed up through templates and specialisation. Track hours honestly, including interviews, fact-checking and edits, or the figure will flatter you.

Common mistakes

• Counting only drafting time and leaving out research and revisions.
• Comparing per-word and per-page or per-character quotes without converting them.
• Forgetting platform or agency fees that come off the fee.
• Assuming the CJK characters ÷ 2 rule is a standard; it is only a rough convention.

Frequently asked questions

How do I turn a per-word rate into a per-page rate?

Multiply the per-word price by the words on a page; a double-spaced manuscript page is often taken as about 250 words, but confirm the definition with the client.

Is a per-word or an hourly rate better for me?

Per-word pricing rewards speed and expertise; hourly pricing protects you when the scope is unclear or edits are likely.

How are translations usually counted?

Commonly on the source text's word count, which both sides can check before work starts.

Sources: Editorial Freelancers Association, Editorial Rates (published rate chart)