Urdu to English translation
Urdu to English translation is one of the most requested language combinations: Urdu has around 68.6M speakers and is official in Pakistan.
Urdu is right-to-left in Nastaliq style; spoken Urdu and Hindi are close, but scripts and formal vocabulary differ.
Indicative freelance rates for south & southeast asian languages run from about $0.06 to $0.14 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, 533,546 people speak Urdu at home and 146,423 speak English less than "very well", which drives steady demand for Urdu–English translation and interpreting in healthcare, legal and public services.
Indicative rates
Per-word band for general commercial work in the south & southeast asian 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 Urdu → English projects
- Urdu is written right to left: layouts, numbers, punctuation and mixed-direction text must be tested by a native speaker.
- English output is usually 15–30% shorter than the Urdu 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 Urdu to English translation cost?
Typical freelance rates are about $0.06–$0.14 per word, depending on subject, deadline and the translator's experience.
How long does it take to translate Urdu to English?
A professional translator typically produces 2,000–3,000 words a day, plus time for revision by a second linguist.