Word Count and Document Length
A professional translator typically completes 2,000 to 2,500 words of new translation per business day. Add 1 day for editorial review on larger projects, plus 1 day for client review and revisions.
Turnaround Times
Translation Turnaround Times
How long professional translation takes by document type, word count, and language pair. Standard, expedited, and same-day options.
By Mike Bastin · Founder and CEOLast updated May 19, 2026
Turnaround Tiers by Document Size
Standard Service
1 to 3 business days
For documents up to 3,000 words. Most certified translations, business correspondence, marketing copy, and short legal documents fall in this tier.
Mid-Volume
3 to 7 business days
For documents 3,000 to 15,000 words. Long-form contracts, technical manuals, marketing brochures, and most business reports.
Large Project
1 to 4 weeks
For 15,000 to 100,000 words. Annual reports, full website translations, software localization releases, and exhibition catalogs.
Expedited
Same business day
Urgent translations under 2,000 words for time-sensitive deal documents, court filings, or USCIS-certified translation deadlines. Expedited surcharge applies.
What Determines Your Turnaround
Language Pair
Common pairs (English-Spanish, English-French, English-German) typically have the most flexible scheduling. Less common combinations (e.g. English-Burmese, English-Khmer) may require extra lead time depending on translator availability.
Subject Matter Specialism
Specialist content such as medical regulatory, patent translation, or financial reporting requires translators with appropriate qualifications. Lead time may extend slightly to match the right translator to your project.
Certification Requirements
Certified translation, sworn, or notarized translation adds 1 business day to the standard timeline to allow for affidavit preparation and notarization where applicable.
File Format and DTP Requirements
InDesign, Quark, and complex PDF formats add DTP time for layout reflow. Plain text, Word, and HTML files have minimal additional handling time.
All timelines are confirmed in writing as part of your project quote. We do not commit to a delivery date until the source files have been received and the translator availability is confirmed.
Turnaround Times FAQ
How long does a typical legal contract translation take?
A standard 5,000-word commercial contract typically returns within 2 to 3 business days. Same-day delivery is available for urgent legal translation work under 2,000 words with expedited service.
Can you deliver same-day for urgent immigration documents?
Yes. Standard immigration documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and police clearances can be delivered same-day if submitted by mid-morning. Certified translation surcharge plus expedited fee applies.
What is the turnaround for a full annual report translation?
A 50,000 to 80,000-word annual report typically translates in 6 to 10 business days per language pair with standard service. Multilingual co-ordination across 5+ target languages can be aligned to a single delivery deadline.
How do you handle weekend and holiday deadlines?
Weekend and holiday work is available with advance notice and an out-of-hours surcharge. We do not assume weekend availability without explicit booking confirmation.
What Our Clients Say
“I recently used a translation agency in France to translate several administrative and commercial documents into Spanish. The service I received was absolutely exceptional. Not only were the translations accurate and professional, but the team was also very responsive and understanding of my specific needs. BeTranslated truly took the time to understand my context, and the translations perfectly reflected this understanding. I highly recommend their services to anyone needing high-quality translations, and I will not hesitate to use them again in the future.”
paula E.
Google review (FR) , 2 years ago
“Highly professional and meticulous work. They truly listened to my needs and communicated very responsively. Very satisfied with the work done.”
Khaled B.
Google review (FR) , 2 months ago
“We regularly use BeTranslated's translation services and are very satisfied with their work. The team is professional and highly efficient! We highly recommend them.”
Shangri-La P.
Google review (FR) , 2 years ago
5.0/5.0 from 168 Google Reviews
Translation Turnaround Times: Talk to a Specialist
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