Link Building Cost Calculator
A link building cost calculator is a budgeting tool. Monthly cost = links per month x (outreach or placement…
Free content cost calculator
Estimate the full cost of a content plan, not just the writer's fee, in seconds.
All default rates are editable example assumptions, not market benchmarks. Replace them with real quotes from your writers.
Result
0Per article
0Effective per word
0Total words
| Cost item | Per article | Total |
|---|
The free content cost calculator runs in your browser, needs no sign-up and never sends what you type anywhere.
Quick answer
A content cost calculator multiplies the number of articles by the full cost per article: writing (words × rate per word, or a flat fee), plus images, editing, research, upload and a revision buffer. Eight 1,500 word articles at $0.08 per word, with typical extras and a 10% buffer, come to about $1,408. Writing is only part of the budget.
What is a article cost calculator?
A content cost calculator is a budgeting tool that estimates what a batch of blog posts or SEO articles will cost. The logic is total = articles × (writing fee + images + editing + research + upload) × (1 + revision buffer), where the writing fee is words × rate, a flat article fee or hours × hourly rate.
How do you use the Article Cost Calculator?
- Enter how many articles you plan and the target words per article.
- Choose how your writer charges (per word, per article or per hour) and enter the rate.
- Add the extras: images, editing, brief and keyword research, and upload or formatting.
- Set a revision buffer, for example 10%, for rewrites and scope changes.
- Read the total, the cost per article and the effective cost per word, then compare quotes.
How much does a 1,000 word article cost?
A 1,000 word article costs words × rate plus extras: at $0.05 per word the writing is $50, at $0.15 it is $150, before editing, images and research. Rates depend on the writer's expertise, the niche and the research needed, so use real quotes from your own writers as the rate here.
How do I budget for a content marketing plan?
Start from the number of articles each month, multiply by the full cost per article and add 10 to 20% for revisions and updates. Include editing, original images, keyword research and upload time, then compare that budget with the traffic or leads each article can realistically bring.
Is longer content always better for SEO?
No. Google says there is no preferred word count; content should be as long as it needs to be to help the reader. Its helpful content guidance warns against writing to a target length because you think Google prefers it. Budget for depth and original insight, not padding.
Quick reference
| Words per article | At $0.05 per word | At $0.10 per word | At $0.20 per word |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800 | $40 | $80 | $160 |
| 1,000 | $50 | $100 | $200 |
| 1,500 | $75 | $150 | $300 |
| 2,000 | $100 | $200 | $400 |
| 3,000 | $150 | $300 | $600 |
Worked example
Example
Example: 8 articles of 1,500 words at $0.08 per word cost $120 each to write. Add 2 images at $5 ($10), editing $15, brief and research $10 and upload $5, for $160. A 10% revision buffer adds $16, so each article costs $176 and the plan totals $1,408, an effective $0.117 per word. Writing is about 68% of the budget.
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
What is a fair rate per word for SEO content?
There is no single fair rate. General blog posts often cost less per word than expert health, finance or legal content, which needs a qualified writer and fact checking. Collect three quotes for the same brief and compare the effective cost per word, including editing.
Should I pay per word or per article?
Per word pricing suits fixed length briefs and makes quotes easy to compare. A flat fee per article suits topics where research takes most of the time. Hourly pricing suits updates and audits. Whichever model you use, agree on length range, revisions and deadlines in writing.
Does AI written content cost less?
AI drafts can lower writing time, but editing, fact checking and adding real experience still cost money. Google's guidance focuses on whether content is helpful, not how it is produced, and scaled low value content can break its spam policies. Budget for human review.
What hidden costs should a content budget include?
Include keyword research and briefs, editing and fact checks, original images or screenshots, upload and formatting in your CMS, internal linking, and later updates. Promotion and link building are separate costs. A small revision buffer covers rewrites when the brief changes.
How much do you charge to write a guest post article?
On my guest post orders, writing the article costs $10 extra per article, and there is no extra charge if you send your own article. That price covers a guest post article placed on a site from my list; for standalone long form content, ask me for a quote.
How many articles should I budget for each month?
Budget for what you can publish and keep updated at a steady quality, not a big number you cannot maintain. A small site can start with 4 to 8 well researched articles a month. SEO results usually take 3 to 6 months, so plan the budget for at least that long.
Sources
Facts checked against these official pages. Read how I check facts in my editorial policy.
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