Estimate your voice over project cost

Whether you’re budgeting for corporate narration, commercials, documentary voice overs, e-learning, explainer videos or any other project, figuring out your project’s cost shouldn’t be a guessing game.

Voice over rates vary widely depending on how your audio will be used, how long the script is, and the licensing required. Professionals often charge differently for non-broadcast content versus broadcast or licensed commercial usage. Some voice talent price by the word, others by finished minute or project type. I like to keep things simple and transparent.

This voice over cost calculator helps you quickly estimate what your project might cost. Use it for everything from short explainer videos to long-form narration, so you can plan your project budget with confidence.

For detailed quotes, or quotes for projects not listed below, please contact me.

15-second quick quote calculator







These quotes are guidelines. Please contact me for a firm quote on your project, based on your specific needs.

Why Use This Calculator?

Fast pricing: Get an instant estimate based on word count or video length.
Real industry logic: Pricing is based on industry standards, including broadcast buyout premiums and longer projects.
Flexible options: Supports non-broadcast, corporate, broadcast, long-form documentary, and other projects.
Smart insight before you hire: Helps you accurately budget and understand what fair, transparent pricing looks like.

FAQs

Professional voice over costs typically range from $50 to several hundred dollars, depending on script length, usage type, and audience reach. Non-broadcast narration is usually less expensive than broadcast voice over, which includes licensing fees.

Voice over rates vary based on where the audio will be used, audience size, script length, licensing requirements, and content complexity. Broadcast and national advertising projects typically cost more due to wider exposure.

Non-broadcast voice over is used for internal or online content such as corporate videos, e-learning courses, podcast intros, explainer videos, whiteboard videos, or unpaid social media.
Broadcast voice over is used in paid advertising like TV, radio or pre-roll ads, paid social media, or streaming platform commercials and includes licensing fees based on audience reach.

Since different projects require different pacing, I charge by the word rather than finished time. Times used in this calculator are guidelines based on average talking speed of 150 words/minute.

Medical and technical voice over projects often cost more due to the need for accuracy, specialized terminology, and additional preparation time.

This voice over cost calculator provides an estimate, not a final quote. Final pricing may vary based on performance requirements, revisions, delivery format, and turnaround time.

Definitions

  • Non-broadcast: corporate videos, e-learning courses, explainers, online videos, IVR prompts, podcasts, etc
  • Broadcast paid commercials: ads for TV, radio, podcasts, pre-roll content or streamer platforms, or paid social media content
  • Broadcast documentaries: long-form documentaries intended for TV, radio or streamer platforms

Additional services

  • Add music (client provided) or split files: $4/finished minute
  • Tags (last 10s of ad versions): $25 each
  • Revisions: $0.30/word (limit of 30% of original script length)
  • Live direction: $50/hour