Understand Smartwords

Smartwords (SW) refer to the balance of points used for AI automations such as translations, voiceovers, content generation, and more. The SW counter is visible in the top-right corner of the app.
Users can acquire SW through subscriptions or as a free bonus, such as during the trial period. SW help reduce overhead costs by charging only for the actual work done. They also provide transparency into your team’s translation volumes.

As a general rule, 1 SW is required to automatically translate 1 word of text. However, the cost may vary depending on the use case. 

• Extracting text from images and files with images: Free of charge.

• Translating an image by re-embedding text into the original image: Flat 500 SW per image.

• Extracting text from video and audio files: Free of charge (requires a positive Smartword balance).

• Translating subtitles: SW are charged when translated subtitles are downloaded, not during the actual translation process.

• Creating AI voiceovers from text: 10 SW per word.

• Generating AI text: 1 SW per word.

• Generating AI pictures: 20 SW per image.

SW cost estimates for OCR files

Some files require Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to recognize and extract text before translation. These include images (.jpg, .png), slide presentations (.pptx), PDF documents, and more.

To approximate the probable word count for such files, Smartcat uses a page-based formula. In rare cases, this may prevent translation if the Smartword balance is too low, even when the actual word count is within the balance.

Files that contain code formatting 

Files with code formatting may incur higher SW costs because code markup is counted as segments requiring translation.

Your Smartwords balance is always in plain view. Simply go to the Smartwords usage tab and choose the time period to see how a breakdown of your Smartwords usage and your remaining balance.

There are two types of Smartword balances: Personal and Workspace.

• Workspace Balance: Shared among all users in a given workspace. When present, the personal balance is unavailable.

• Personal Balance: Available to individual users,except freelancers. Personal balance is only accessible in workspaces without a shared balance and expires 15 days after registration during the free trial.

Smartword Balance in Subscribed Workspaces

Paid subscriptions include specific Smartword packages. These balances are shared among all users in the workspace.

• SW Package Expiration: Unused SW expire at the end of the subscription term.

Topping up Smartword balance

Paid subscription

The best way to top up the Smartword balance is via purchasing a subscription. 

Pay as you go

In paid subscriptions, users can increase their Smartword balance mid-term using the Pay-As-You-Go feature.

Alternatively, users can contact the Sales team to upgrade to a higher SW package within the same subscription plan. This upgrade will provide additional SW at a discount and extend their availability until the end of the current subscription period.

Upgrading subscription plan

When upgrading to a higher subscription tier, any remaining Smartwords from the previous plan are added to the new subscription balance.