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DeepL

DeepL translates text. Its developer API lets an app request a translation for a supported language pair.

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When do you need the DeepL API?

Use the web translator when a person is translating text by hand. Use the API when software needs to send text and get a translation back. DeepL sells API access separately from its Translator plans.

Choose the target language and send only the text you need translated. A glossary can guide terminology for supported language pairs. Keep the API key on your server. Your app still decides where the translated wording appears.

What is counted when you send text?

The current API Developer plan has a free total of one million translated characters that does not refill. API Growth includes usage under a fixed monthly or yearly price and bills additional usage. The older API Free and API Pro plans are closed to new purchases.

Count the characters you send for each target language. Some file types have a minimum chargeable character count even for short documents. Check the current plan, file type and cost control before automating repeated translation.

How do you review one translated message before it goes live?

On paper, mark up a fictional order-status message. Use no API key, real order or request.

  1. Keep the value separate
    Underline “Ready for pickup” as text to translate. Put the made-up order number in a separate slot your app fills later.
  2. Write the meaning that must survive
    Tell the reviewer the order is ready for the customer to collect. Leave the message out of the release if the translation says the order is still being prepared.
  3. Keep the approved wording
    Record the source, target language and approved text in the app’s own translation file. That gives the app a version to show if the service is unavailable.

What should you keep out of the request?

Start with public or invented text. Before sending customer or confidential material, check the terms and privacy conditions for your exact service, plan and feature. A personal translator account and an app API plan can have different terms.

Keep approved text and any glossary you maintain in files you control. Check privacy separately before sending names, order details or anything the translation does not need.