Use this simple word count formula to estimate your audiobook production cost accurately

After helping nonfiction authors successfully publish and launch their bestselling paperbacks and eBooks for the past 20 years, one of the most common questions I am asked is: What’s the best way to record an audiobook—and what’s a reasonable cost to produce it?

In this post, I’ll explain why it’s time to launch your audiobook to the world. Next, I will describe the three main ways to create an audiobook, and then, I’ll show you a simple formula to estimate the production cost to avoid unnecessary expenses.

Audiobooks in 2025 aren’t just a trend but a seismic shift in publishing. With over 51% of U.S. adults now listening to audiobooks (source: Edison Research), and nonfiction titles growing at an estimated 26% annually (source: Mordor Intelligence), the opportunity for authors has never been greater. Turning your book into an audiobook is a smart way to reach new audiences, grow your platform, and add a new revenue stream—but figuring out the steps and how to budget for it can feel overwhelming.

How do I record my audiobook?

If you're considering turning your book into an audiobook, here's a quick breakdown of three main options:

1. Record It Yourself at Home

Recording your audiobook yourself is the DIY route. You buy the microphone, set up a quiet space, download the recording software, and begin narrating your book. Then, you edit the audio files, master them to meet ACX (Audible’s platform) requirements, and upload everything yourself to your ACX account. Some authors choose this approach to hear their book spoken in their own voice, which can be gratifying.

However, the process itself can often be difficult. While this is perhaps the most cost-effective method, it often turns into a time-consuming (and sometimes frustrating) project. Many authors end up spending dozens of hours learning technical audio skills and find themselves buried in the minutiae. And, there's no guarantee that ACX will accept the files (assuming you want to sell it on Amazon, Audible, and iTunes), if your recordings don’t meet their exact standards. The emotional cost of having to redo your recordings? Very real.

2. Rent a Professional Recording Studio

The second option is to hire a professional studio and record your narration there. You'll have access to high-quality equipment and sound engineers who can help ensure your audio meets ACX standards. This option is great if you have the financial resources and time. The process will be smooth and your audiobook will be high-quality.

However, this route can be extremely expensive and time-intensive. Between scheduling studio time, commuting, and recording multiple takes, this option often takes much longer than anticipated. Once you're finished recording, you’re typically still responsible for setting up your ACX account and uploading the audio files to ACX yourself.

Note: In my last article, I mentioned that a recent client was quoted $8,000 by a professional recording studio which is way too much to pay for an audiobook! If you missed it, you can read the post here.

3. Hire an ACX-Approved Professional Narrator (My Recommendation)

The third, and best option in my opinion, is to hire a professional human narrator who is already ACX-approved. Here's why this is a game-changer: It saves you time and stress, the narrator handles the entire recording and production process, and it’s surprisingly cost-efficient.

Narrators charge by “Per Finished Hour,” and ACX provides a clear estimate of the total time and cost once you upload your manuscript. I have found their estimates to be reliable. Because these narrators are already familiar with ACX’s standards, they know how to deliver polished files that get accepted when going through the rigorous approval process. If there's a problem, the narrator is expected to fix it—it’s part of the agreement.

However, it takes time to search for the right narrator to represent you, your voice, and your book. Also, every narrator is different — some narrations are flawless and fast, and others are riddled with errors. I recommend asking for a 15-minute sample from each narrator you are considering, so you can evaluate their voice, tone, and connection with your content. Finding the perfect person to narrate your book is a process but the outcome is an audiobook you can be proud of and your readers will enjoy listening to.

I recommend this option to most nonfiction authors because it strikes the perfect balance of quality and affordability without the stress. You maintain complete creative control, and you’re not buried in technical tasks.

Below I share a simple formula (very little math required!) for how to estimate your audiobook production cost accurately with a professional narrator on ACX.

First we need to know the lingo. The standard measurement used in the audiobook industry is “Per Finished Hour” (PFH) not the actual hours spent recording, editing, or producing it. That’s a big difference from studio rentals, where you’re often billed separately for equipment, sound engineering, and post-production editing!

Here’s how the audiobook cost formula works:

ACX estimates that a professional narrator reads 9,300 words per hour. Therefore, to estimate the number of finished hours, divide the word count of your manuscript by 9,300.

Here’s an example:

Let’s say your manuscript is 44,000 words long.

44,000 ÷ 9,300 = 4.73 finished hours. Round up to 5 PFH for simplicity.

Now, if your chosen narrator charges $200 Per Finished Hour, your estimated cost would be:

5 PFH × $200 = $1,000 to professionally narrate your book

That’s it! You now have a ballpark figure for budgeting your audiobook. And the best part? Working with a professional narrator through ACX gives you a polished, ready-to-upload audiobook that meets all quality requirements, without the studio hassle.

If you’d like expert support setting up your ACX account, finding a narrator you love, and managing every step, from ACX approvals to cover art design to final publishing, please don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a time with me. I’m here to help you bring your audiobook to life, open the door to a new revenue stream, and make your book accessible to even more people than you ever imagined.

TamaraMonosoff.com/audiobooks

If you found this post to be helpful, please leave a comment. I would love to hear from you! And, please subscribe. Thank you!