Arabic to English translation
Arabic to English translation is one of the most requested language combinations: Arabic has around 315.4M speakers and is official in Afghanistan, Algeria and Bahrain.
Arabic is right-to-left, has dual number and gendered verb forms, and Modern Standard Arabic differs from spoken dialects. Layouts must be mirrored.
Indicative freelance rates for middle eastern & turkic languages run from about $0.09 to $0.18 per word for general commercial work; specialised, certified and urgent jobs cost more, and literary translation is usually paid per 1,000 words.
In the US, 1,422,969 people speak Arabic at home and 485,777 speak English less than "very well", which drives steady demand for Arabic–English translation and interpreting in healthcare, legal and public services.
Indicative rates
Per-word band for general commercial work in the middle eastern & turkic group. Real quotes depend on subject, volume, deadline and experience.
Translation cost calculatorEstimate a quote by language, word count, subject and deadline.
Open calculator →Tips for Arabic → English projects
- Arabic is written right to left: layouts, numbers, punctuation and mixed-direction text must be tested by a native speaker.
- English output is usually 20–30% shorter than the Arabic source — budget by source words.
- Decide on US or UK English spelling and punctuation conventions up front.
- For official documents (birth certificates, diplomas) into English, US agencies usually accept a translator's signed certification; check the receiving institution.
- Send reference material and a glossary of brand or series terms; it saves revision rounds and money.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Arabic to English translation cost?
Typical freelance rates are about $0.09–$0.18 per word, depending on subject, deadline and the translator's experience.
How long does it take to translate Arabic to English?
A professional translator typically produces 2,000–3,000 words a day, plus time for revision by a second linguist.