How Much Does a Copywriter Cost in the UK? (2026 Pricing Guide)

Copywriters can charge anywhere from a few hundred pounds for a small project to several thousand for a full website or campaign. An experienced copywriter typically charges £350-£500 a day, or £50-£75 an hour. This guide explains how pricing works and what affects the final bill, so you can budget with confidence.

How copywriters price their work

Per word. Common for blog posts and articles. Rates in the UK range from around 20p to 70p per word, depending on experience, industry and how much research is involved. At 50p a word, a 1,000-word article would cost £500.

Per hour or per day. Better for work that's hard to measure in words, such as brand messaging or editing. Expect roughly £50-75 an hour or £350-500 a day for an experienced copywriter.

Per project. A fixed fee for a defined piece of work, such as a website or an email sequence. This gives you certainty on cost, as long as the brief is clear.

Monthly retainer. A set fee for an agreed amount of work each month, common for ongoing blog and social content. Retainers often come with a lower effective rate.

Freelancers vs content agencies

Freelancers tend to be more affordable and offer direct access to the person writing your copy. Agencies usually charge more, often by word count, but can handle larger volumes and offer extras like strategy, editing and project management. Agencies commonly split their services into three types.

New copy. Brand new content, written from scratch. This has the highest per-word cost because it involves research, planning and original ideas.

Localising content. Taking content from one market and adapting it for another. This goes beyond translation: it means adjusting references, tone and examples so the copy feels natural to the local audience. It's usually cheaper than new copy.

Rewriting content. Improving content you already have, whether that's tightening the tone, updating outdated information or optimising for search. It's usually cheaper than writing from scratch because the research and structure already exist, though heavy rewrites can approach the price of new copy.

What affects the price

• Experience. Specialists and well-known writers charge more.

• Industry. Technical fields like finance, legal or SaaS cost more because they need expertise.

• Research. Interviews and deep research add time.

• Turnaround. Rush jobs often carry a premium.

• Revisions. Check how many rounds are included in the quote.

• Usage and length. Longer or more complex pieces cost more overall.

  
  

How to get good value

• Write a clear brief covering your audience, goals, tone and examples you like. Good briefs reduce revisions and save money.

• Ask what's included in the quote, such as revisions, research and SEO.

• Don't choose on price alone. Cheap copy that needs rewriting costs more in the end.

• Look at portfolios and ask for samples relevant to your industry.

  
  

Get a quote

Every project is different, so the best way to know what you'll pay is to ask. If you'd like a clear, no-obligation quote for your project, get in touch with Blog Hive Media.

Before publishing:

• Check your rates against a few current UK freelancer and agency sites. My ranges are typical but vary a lot, and your own pricing should match what you actually charge.

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