Turnaround Time

Turnaround time (TAT) in translation refers to the elapsed time from when a project is submitted to when the completed translation is delivered. It is one of the key parameters in any translation project alongside quality level, language pairs, and budget.

Turnaround time is influenced by several factors: word count and volume (more content requires more time), language pair availability (common language pairs have more translators available, enabling faster delivery), subject-matter complexity (specialised content requires specialist translators who may have limited availability), quality level required (full human translation with revision takes longer than machine translation with light post-editing), formatting requirements (DTP and layout work adds time after translation is complete), number of target languages (multilingual projects require coordination across multiple language teams), and review and approval processes (client review cycles add to overall project duration).

Standard turnaround times in the translation industry typically assume a professional translator can produce 2,000–3,000 words per day of quality translation, with additional time for revision, editing, and quality assurance. Rush or express services compress these timelines by deploying multiple translators or prioritising the project, usually at premium rates.

Setting realistic turnaround expectations requires balancing urgency against quality. Extremely compressed timelines may require trade-offs such as reduced review steps or the use of machine translation with post-editing rather than full human translation.

LEXIGO provides flexible turnaround options from standard delivery through to same-day express services, with transparent timeline estimates based on project scope and complexity.

Turnaround time directly affects project planning, campaign launches, regulatory filing deadlines, and business operations. Understanding the factors that influence translation timelines enables better planning and more realistic expectations. Submitting projects with adequate lead time ensures that quality processes are not compressed, delivering better outcomes than last-minute rush requests.

For organisations with recurring translation needs, establishing a relationship with a provider and building Translation Memory reduces turnaround times over time as accumulated TM matches reduce the volume of new translation required for each project.