Calculate total cost, total words, or rate per word from any two inputs with this rate per word calculator for writing and copy pricing.
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Rate Per Word Formula
The basic relationship is total cost equals the number of words multiplied by the rate per word.
- TC = total cost in dollars
- W = total number of words
- R = rate per word in dollars per word
If you know the total number of words and the rate per word, the calculator finds the total cost.
If you know the total cost and the rate per word, the calculator finds how many words that budget covers.
If you know the total cost and the word count, the calculator finds the rate per word.
- Total cost mode: enter words and rate per word to calculate the full price.
- Total words mode: enter total cost and rate per word to calculate the word count.
- Rate per word mode: enter total cost and word count to calculate the price per word.
Common Rate Per Word Ranges
Rates vary by writing type, experience, subject difficulty, research time, and revision requirements.
| Work type | Typical rate per word | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic blog writing | $0.03 to $0.10 | Often used for simple, low-research content. |
| Standard web content | $0.10 to $0.30 | Common for articles, landing pages, and edited content. |
| Technical or specialist writing | $0.30 to $1.00+ | Usually includes research, expertise, or subject review. |
| Editing or proofreading | $0.01 to $0.10 | The rate depends on whether light proofreading or deeper editing is needed. |
Quick Cost Estimates by Word Count
| Word count | At $0.05/word | At $0.10/word | At $0.25/word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 words | $25.00 | $50.00 | $125.00 |
| 1,000 words | $50.00 | $100.00 | $250.00 |
| 2,000 words | $100.00 | $200.00 | $500.00 |
| 5,000 words | $250.00 | $500.00 | $1,250.00 |
Example Calculations
Example 1: Find the total cost
You need 1,200 words at $0.08 per word.
The total cost is $96.00.
Example 2: Find the rate per word
You paid $150 for 2,000 words.
The rate is $0.075 per word. Rounded to cents, that is about $0.08 per word.
FAQ
How do you calculate rate per word?
Divide the total cost by the total number of words. For example, if a 1,000-word article costs $120, the rate per word is $120 divided by 1,000, which equals $0.12 per word.
Should spaces, headings, or footnotes count as words?
Usually, a word count includes headings and body text. Spaces are not counted as words. Footnotes, captions, tables, and references may or may not be included, depending on the agreement. Use the same word count rule for both pricing and payment.
Why does the calculator show a rounded rate?
Money fields are often rounded to two decimal places. A true per-word rate can have more than two decimals, such as $0.075 per word. For exact pricing, keep extra decimal places when setting the rate, then round only the final total cost.
