SPECIAL NOTE
if you are a pro with either a Solo, Duet or Multicast project, use this
If you’re an indie author narrating your own book, or a pro who prefers sending raw files (no punch & roll) — I’ve got you covered. I’ll handle the technical side of your project so you can focus on the performance. Scroll down to the calculator to estimate your budget across three service options. Still have questions? You’ll find detailed explanations further below. Cheers!
A Closer Look: How the Estimates Are Made
First of all, this thing works. It’s built using data from hundreds of finished audiobooks to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Now, for a few more details. This calculator estimates the post-production phase of your project (the engineering part).
What’s included:
- Mastering to ACX, Author’s Republic or Inaudio (formerly Findaway Voices) technical standards.
- Editing (precise removal of bad takes and distractions).
- Proofing.
If you are an indie author-narrator or a professional voice talent looking for a reliable engineer, this is the perfect place to start!
Choose your calculator
#1. By Word Count: Best if you are still in the planning stage.
#2. By Recorded Time: Best if you have already finished your recording.
Pro tip: If you aren’t sure about the word count yet, use the Pages to Words Converter below to estimate based on your manuscript. If you have a digital file, you can also use this free tool.
Pages to Words Converter
Pages to Words
Total Summary
Check the “What’s Under the Hood” section below for a deeper dive into formulas, fees, and my process. By the way, if you’re new to audiobook production and still figuring out the process, this Checklist for Newcomers will help you get started. Good luck!
What’s Under the Hood
MAIN FORMULAS
Calculator #1 — Project Planning (Pre-Recording):
(Word Count/ 9,300) x 1.2 x Time Ratio x Rate = Estimated Budget
Calculator #2 — Finished Audio (Post-Recording):
Recorded Hours x Time Ratio x Rate = Estimated Budget
The Details Behind the Math
Word Count and Recorded Time
The average speaking tempo for English-language audiobooks is approximately 155 words per minute (or 9,300 words per hour). If you know your total word count, you can easily estimate the duration of your finished audiobook. For example, a 46,500-word manuscript will result in roughly 5 hours of finished audio (46,500/ 9,300 = 5).
Coefficient 1.2
It is almost inevitable to have mistakes, false starts, or retakes during a recording session. Based on industry averages, these typically add 10–30% to the total recording time compared to a “clean” read. This formula accounts for that extra time to ensure a realistic estimate.
And by the way, this is exactly why numbers in these calculators differ, so please take it in consideration.
Time Ratio
Option #1: Mastering. Noise reduction, EQ, loudness normalization, etc. Typically takes 0.5x to 2x the running time. In other words, 1 hour of raw audio requires about 30 minutes to 2 hours of engineering, depending on the source quality.
Option #2: Mastering & Editing. All of the above plus removal of bad takes, mouth clicks, and distractions. Typically takes 2x to 3x the running time.
Crucial Note: This option assumes that all bad takes are marked with sonic cues (clicks or claps). Here’s what I mean.
Option #3: Mastering, Editing & Proofing. Full cycle, including a final script-to-audio match check. Typically takes 3x to 5x the running time. This is the most comprehensive service to ensure your recording is flawless and matches your manuscript perfectly.
Engineer’s Rate
My current rate used in this calculator is US$30/hr.