The guide · 2026
How to translate a book — the honest 6-step guide.
No agencies, no per-word negotiations, no months of waiting. Here is the whole process for translating a book into a new language in 2026 — including the two checks most guides skip.
Step 1
Confirm your rights
You need the translation rights to your book. Self-published authors have them automatically; traditionally published authors should check the contract or ask the publisher.
Step 2
Choose your target language
Pick the market you want first — one language, done well, beats three done badly. Each language page shows what matters for that market.
Step 3
Upload the PDF and see the real price
The page count is detected right in your browser. Per-page pricing means the number you see is the number you pay — from $0.02 a page, quoted before you commit.
Step 4
Fill in the translation brief
Source and target language, tone, and a glossary of names, places, and key terms. This travels with the book so nothing drifts.
Step 5
Pick a plan and get your book back
Essential ($0.02/page) for drafts and market tests; Editorial ($0.04/page) adds a native literary review for reader-ready books.
Step 6
Publish the new edition
The translation ships as its own title on KDP or any store — its own cover, price, and metadata. The PDF is print-ready, so paperback works too.
Questions this guide gets asked.
Short answers about rights, pricing, and publishing.
Do I need permission to translate my book?
If you wrote it, you hold the translation rights and can proceed. If a publisher published it, the contract usually reserves translation rights — you need their written permission first.
How much does it cost to translate a whole book?
Books are priced by page: Essential is $0.02 per page and Editorial is $0.04 per page. A 200-page book comes to $4–$8 depending on the plan — the exact total appears from your real page count.
Which languages can I translate into?
Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Hindi, Bangla, Polish, Dutch, and English — with more on the way. Each language has its own landing page with details.
Can I publish the translated edition myself?
Yes. The translation is your book — publish it on KDP, other stores, or in print. The file you receive is a print-ready, layout-preserved PDF.
Start at step 3 right now.
Upload your PDF and see the real page count and price — the rest of the steps take minutes.
Translate a book