Help / Calculation rules
How estimates are calculated
The calculator applies the selected service rate, minimum fee, rush surcharge and extras in the order below. Each amount appears in the estimate breakdown.
01 — Calculate the base price
Base price = whole-number word count × the selected service’s per-word rate. Choose the rate for the scope of work you actually provide. Copyediting and proofreading can use different rates.
For example: 10,000 words × USD 0.02 per word = USD 200.00. This is an example, not a suggested industry rate.
02 — Apply the minimum fee
The calculator compares the base price with your minimum fee. If the base price is lower, the difference appears as a minimum-fee adjustment.
For example: a USD 20.00 base price and a USD 50.00 minimum produce a USD 30.00 adjustment. The subtotal before rush becomes USD 50.00. A zero minimum means no minimum-fee adjustment.
03 — Add rush, then fixed extras
Rush is a percentage of the subtotal after the minimum fee has been applied. It is not calculated on the fixed extras. Standard turnaround adds no rush surcharge.
Each selected fixed extra is added after rush. For example: USD 200.00 base + USD 0.00 minimum adjustment + 25% rush (USD 50.00) + USD 15.00 extra = USD 265.00.
04 — Round money consistently
Monetary line items are rounded to the nearest cent. The total is the sum of the rounded base, minimum-fee adjustment, rush surcharge and selected extras, so the displayed lines add up.
USD, EUR and GBP are separate pricing choices. Changing currency does not perform foreign-exchange conversion; set the rates you want to charge in the selected currency.
What an estimate leaves open
This calculator does not inspect a manuscript, evaluate its complexity, check your availability or add tax automatically. Scope changes, discounts, taxes and any additional charges need separate confirmation.
The word-count field expects a count you provide. For Chinese or other writing systems, agree your counting method with the client first; the calculator does not segment or count text.