Calculate project quotes or determine your required per-word rate.
1. Calculate Total Project Quote
Use this to find out how much to charge a client based on a specific rate.
2. Calculate Required Per-Word Rate
Use this to find your rate based on a flat fee or target project income.
Understanding Per Word Rates in Freelance Writing
In the world of freelance writing, copy editing, and translation, the "per word rate" is one of the most common metrics used to determine compensation. Whether you are a beginner looking to set your first rates or an experienced professional auditing your earnings, understanding how to calculate and adjust these rates is essential for a sustainable career.
Why Use a Per Word Rate?
Many clients prefer per-word pricing because it provides a clear, upfront cost for the project. For the writer, it rewards efficiency; the faster you can produce high-quality work, the higher your effective hourly rate becomes. However, it is vital to account for research time, interviews, and revisions when setting this number.
Industry Standard Rate Benchmarks
Level
Average Rate (USD)
Description
Entry Level
$0.03 – $0.07
Content mills, basic blog posts, minimal research.
Intermediate
$0.08 – $0.15
B2B blogging, SEO writing, detailed articles.
Professional
$0.16 – $0.30
White papers, case studies, specialized niche content.
Expert / Specialist
$0.31 – $1.00+
Technical writing, medical copywriting, high-level journalism.
How to Calculate Your Ideal Rate
To ensure you are making a living wage, you should work backward from your desired hourly rate. For example:
Determine Target Hourly Rate: Say you want to earn $60 per hour.
Estimate Speed: If it takes you 4 hours to write a 1,000-word article (including research), you are spending 0.004 hours per word.
The Formula: (Target Hourly Rate × Total Hours) / Total Words = Rate Per Word.