Word Count

Word count is the total number of words in a document or content set to be translated. It is the primary metric used throughout the translation industry for estimating project costs, setting timelines, and measuring translation productivity. Most translation pricing is based on a per-word rate applied to the source word count.

Word count analysis in professional translation goes beyond simply counting words. Translation Memory analysis breaks the total word count into categories based on how much of the content has been translated before: 100% matches (identical segments already in the TM), fuzzy matches (similar but not identical segments, categorised by match percentage), repetitions (segments that repeat within the current document), and new words (content that has not been previously translated). Each category is typically priced differently, reflecting the varying levels of translator effort required.

Word count also influences project planning. A professional translator typically produces 2,000–3,000 words of quality translation per day, so word count directly determines the minimum timeline for a project and the number of translators needed to meet a deadline.

It is worth noting that word count in the source language does not equal word count in the target language. Languages like German typically expand 20–30% compared to English, while languages like Chinese may contract by 30–50%. This text expansion and contraction affects layout, formatting, and design considerations in the final deliverable.

LEXIGO provides detailed word count analysis including TM leverage as part of every project quote, giving clients transparent visibility into how their translation investment is calculated.

Understanding how word count works in translation helps organisations budget accurately, plan timelines realistically, and evaluate quotes from different providers on a like-for-like basis. A provider that offers detailed TM analysis alongside word count demonstrates transparency and the ability to leverage technology for cost efficiency.

For organisations managing translation budgets, word count data also helps prioritise what to translate — enabling decisions about which content justifies the investment in full translation versus summary translation or machine translation approaches.