Translation Credits System Explained
Credits measure user-funded translation work. For Chinese source text, the default rate is 1 credit per 100 characters. If you are just getting started, the Quickstart guide shows how credits fit into the normal workflow.
TL;DR — The default Chinese rate is 1 credit per 100 characters. A typical chapter (3,000–5,000 characters) is about 30–50 credits. Monthly credits reset each billing cycle; Credit Pack credits ($1.99/2,000) do not expire.
How credits work
- Each plan includes a monthly credit allowance (Free: 1,000 / Starter: 10,000 / Pro: 50,000)
- User-funded translation work is estimated from the source text length
- Credits reset at the start of each billing cycle
- Unused credits do not roll over.
For a side-by-side feature breakdown, see Plans & Limits.
Credit consumption
The number of credits a chapter uses depends on its length. Longer chapters with more text consume more credits. Short chapters (1,000-2,000 characters) use fewer credits than long ones (5,000+ characters).
When a user-funded translation operation is accepted, its credits are reserved until the operation settles. A successful operation uses those credits; a failed operation releases the reservation. Closing or refreshing the browser does not stop server-side work, so a translation that completes in the background can still be charged.
Some requests can reuse an existing translation through a different operation path, so a chapter's length alone does not determine whether that request is charged. When a batch or EPUB flow shows a credit estimate, review it before confirming.
Tracking your usage
Your current credit balance is visible in the quota badge on your dashboard. It shows:
- Credits remaining this cycle
- Total credits in your plan
- A visual indicator of usage
For more detailed usage history, check Settings → Subscription.
When you run out
If your credits run out before the billing cycle resets:
- Existing translations remain accessible — you can always re-read translated chapters
- You cannot start another user-funded translation until credits reset or you upgrade; a batch may pause when it cannot fund the next chapter
- Upgrade to a higher plan for more credits immediately
Retrying a failed translation
If a translation fails, use the retry action shown in the reader when chapter access is still available. A failed operation releases its reserved credits; a later successful user-funded attempt is charged. TeaNovel may also retry a chapter that fails an automated quality check at the platform's cost. The reader does not currently offer a manual re-translation control for an already-saved successful chapter.
Batch translation and credits
When using batch translation (Starter and Pro plans), credits are consumed per chapter as each one completes. The batch panel shows a running total of credits used during the batch. See Batch Translation for the workflow and planning tips before launching larger jobs.
Before starting a batch, you'll see an estimated credit cost. Actual usage may differ since chapter lengths vary.
Tips for managing credits
Check before batch translating. Make sure you have enough credits for the number of chapters you want to translate.
Translate strategically. If you are on the Free plan, focus on novels you are most interested in. Translate the first chapter before committing to a full novel.
Monitor the quota badge. Keep an eye on your remaining credits throughout the month to avoid running out unexpectedly.