Editing Rate Calculator
Get an instant estimate for your editing project. This tool calculates the cost based on your document's word count, the level of editing required, and your desired turnaround time.
Enter your total word count and select a service to see the estimated price. For urgent projects, select the "Rush" option.
Calculate Your Editing Cost
Understanding Editing Service Levels
What Do These Services Include?
Choosing the right service ensures your text gets the attention it needs. Here’s a brief overview:
- Proofreading: This is the final quality check before publication. It focuses on correcting surface-level errors like typos, spelling mistakes, punctuation, and formatting inconsistencies. It does not involve significant rewriting.
- Copyediting: This is a more intensive service that goes beyond proofreading. A copyeditor improves accuracy, clarity, and consistency. They will correct grammar, syntax, and word choice to ensure the text flows smoothly and is free of errors.
- Substantive Editing (or Developmental Editing): This is the most in-depth level of editing. It addresses the document's overall structure, organization, tone, and content. The editor may suggest reordering paragraphs, rewriting sections for clarity, or developing arguments more fully.
How Rates are Determined
Our rates are calculated on a per-word basis, which is a standard practice in the editing industry. The base rate depends on the intensity of the service required:
Base Cost = Word Count × Rate Per Word
A surcharge is applied for rush projects because they require us to reschedule other work to meet your deadline.
Total Cost = Base Cost + (Base Cost × Rush Fee %)
Real-World Examples
Click on an example to see how the cost is calculated for different types of documents.
Example 1: Standard Blog Post Proofreading
Scenario: A 1,500-word blog post needs a final check for typos and punctuation errors.
Inputs: Word Count = 1500, Service = Proofreading, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 1500 words * $0.02/word = $30.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $30.00.
Example 2: Rush Copyedit for a Report
Scenario: A 5,000-word business report needs to be copyedited within a short timeframe.
Inputs: Word Count = 5000, Service = Copyediting, Turnaround = Rush.
Calculation:
Base Cost: 5000 words * $0.04/word = $200.00.
Rush Fee: $200.00 * 25% = $50.00.
Total: $200.00 + $50.00 = $250.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $250.00.
Example 3: Substantive Edit of an Academic Chapter
Scenario: A 7,000-word academic chapter requires in-depth feedback on structure, argument, and clarity.
Inputs: Word Count = 7000, Service = Substantive Editing, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 7000 words * $0.07/word = $490.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $490.00.
Example 4: Proofreading Website Content
Scenario: The text from a 5-page website, totaling 2,500 words, needs to be proofread.
Inputs: Word Count = 2500, Service = Proofreading, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 2500 words * $0.02/word = $50.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $50.00.
Example 5: Copyediting a Short E-book
Scenario: An author has written a 20,000-word e-book and needs it professionally copyedited.
Inputs: Word Count = 20000, Service = Copyediting, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 20000 words * $0.04/word = $800.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $800.00.
Example 6: Rush Substantive Edit for Grant Proposal
Scenario: A critical 4,000-word grant proposal needs a heavy structural edit before a tight deadline.
Inputs: Word Count = 4000, Service = Substantive Editing, Turnaround = Rush.
Calculation:
Base Cost: 4000 words * $0.07/word = $280.00.
Rush Fee: $280.00 * 25% = $70.00.
Total: $280.00 + $70.00 = $350.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $350.00.
Example 7: Copyediting a Set of Articles
Scenario: A marketing agency has a batch of 10 articles, each about 800 words long (8,000 total).
Inputs: Word Count = 8000, Service = Copyediting, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 8000 words * $0.04/word = $320.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $320.00.
Example 8: Proofreading a PhD Thesis
Scenario: A student needs their 80,000-word thesis proofread before submission.
Inputs: Word Count = 80000, Service = Proofreading, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 80000 words * $0.02/word = $1,600.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $1,600.00.
Example 9: Small Job - Editing a Cover Letter
Scenario: A 400-word cover letter requires copyediting for grammar and flow.
Inputs: Word Count = 400, Service = Copyediting, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 400 words * $0.04/word = $16.00. (Note: Many editors have a minimum project fee).
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $16.00.
Example 10: Full Manuscript Substantive Edit
Scenario: An author's 90,000-word novel manuscript needs a full developmental edit.
Inputs: Word Count = 90000, Service = Substantive Editing, Turnaround = Standard.
Calculation: 90000 words * $0.07/word = $6,300.00.
Result: Total Estimated Cost is $6,300.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this calculated price a final quote?
This calculator provides a close estimate for typical documents. The final price may be adjusted after a manual review, especially for highly technical content or text requiring heavier-than-average editing for the selected service level.
2. Why is Substantive Editing more expensive?
Substantive editing is the most time-intensive service. It involves analyzing and improving the core components of the document—such as structure, argument, and narrative flow—which requires a higher level of expertise and engagement than correcting grammar or typos.
3. What if my word count is very low?
For very small projects, please be aware that many freelance editors and agencies have a minimum project fee (e.g., $25 or $50) to cover the administrative time involved. This calculator does not include a minimum fee.
4. How is the "Rush" fee calculated?
The rush fee is a percentage-based surcharge (currently 25%) applied to the base cost of the project. It compensates for the need to prioritize your project over others and adjust schedules to meet a tight deadline.
5. Can I customize the rates in this calculator?
If you are the website owner, yes. The rates for each service and the rush fee percentage are defined at the top of the JavaScript code block. They can be easily edited to match your specific pricing model.
6. What's the difference between copyediting and proofreading?
Think of it as stages. Copyediting is a deeper edit that happens first, focusing on improving the overall quality of the writing (grammar, clarity, flow). Proofreading is the final, pre-publication check to catch any remaining surface errors (typos, punctuation).
7. Do you charge by the hour or by the page?
This calculator is based on a per-word rate, which is the most common and transparent pricing method for editing. It ensures that the price is directly related to the volume of work, regardless of page formatting or font size.
8. Why did the calculator show an error?
The most common reason for an error is not entering a valid word count. Please ensure you have typed a number greater than zero into the "Total Word Count" field before calculating.
9. What currency are the prices shown in?
The default currency is set to US Dollars ($). This can be changed by the website administrator by editing the `currencySymbol` variable within the tool's code.
10. Can I get a discount for a very large project (e.g., a book)?
This calculator does not automatically apply volume discounts. However, many editors and agencies are open to negotiating rates for large-scale projects. It is best to use this tool for an initial estimate and then contact us directly to discuss your manuscript.
