How Accurate Is Google Translate?

Posted on: May 21, 2025 by admin

Google Translate improved its accuracy rate over the last 20 years. It supports more than 200 languages, including Korean, Chinese, and Arabic, and can help you quickly understand basic text, such as directions, menus, and recipes. But is it one hundred percent accurate?

To help you decide, we’ve considered the accuracy and error rate of language pairs, context, grammar and subject matter when using Google Translate.

What Is the Error Rate for Google Translate?

According to a 2021 study, Google Translate’s error rate varies based on language pairs, context, grammar, intent and subject matter.

Language Pair

In the same study, common language pairs or languages commonly translated to one another, like English to Spanish, had a 90% accuracy rate. Less common language pair translations, such as English to Armenian, were 55% accurate. This difference suggests 35% less reliability between widespread and uncommon language pairs. Other accuracy rates included:

English to Vietnamese: 77.5%
English to Armenian: 55%
English to Korean: 82.5%
English to Chinese: 81.7%
English to Farsi: 67.5%.

Context

Another factor to consider when using Google Translate is the context. The same 2021 study found that Google preserved 85.2% of the original meaning or context.

Grammar

You must also consider grammar when deciding the accuracy of Google Translate. A 2024 study highlighted a decrease in Google Translate vocabulary, syntax and discourse errors from 2018 to 2023. While a significant improvement is evident, the study suggests Google Translate can still impact text comprehension and understanding. Other grammar to consider is sentence complexity and length:

Length: Shorter, simple sentences may be translated more accurately than longer ones.
Complexity: General content translations are often more accurate than complex types like idioms and metaphors.

Content Type

Google Translate may translate some content more accurately than others. A 2022 study found that Google Translate is less accurate for informative text and a better solution for quick, straightforward translations.

Another study from the same year compared Google Translate’s accuracy for procedure and narrative text. The results indicate machine translation is more reliable for narrative text, with 86% accuracy, and less dependable for procedure text, with an accuracy of 79.57%.

Subject Matter

The subject matter or document you’re translating is another significant consideration when deciding how accurate Google Translate is. A 2025 article suggests that while Google Translate can be fairly reliable for translating legal documents, it’s best to get a second opinion from a professional translator and relevant subject matter experts. It also suggests that machine translation is more suitable for less sensitive information like text messages.

Is Google Translate Accurate?

Google Translate is more accurate when translating common language pairs, short, non-complex sentences, and less technical subject matter. However, it can be less accurate when translating uncommon language pairs and more intricate grammar and content. Google Translate can also be less reliable for translating technical documents.

When Should You Use Google Translate vs Professional Translation Services?

Now that you know Google Translate’s accuracy rate, learn when to use it and when professional translation is the best option.

Google Translate

You can use Google Translate for the following:

Translating casual and informal conversations and daily communications with friends and family.
Google Translate’s camera feature can be helpful and convenient when translating basic travel directions and signs.
When translating personal documents, use documents like recipes, menus, and hobby content.
You require a basic or quick understanding of a website, but getting a second or professional opinion on complex terminology and content is best.

Professional Translation Services

It’s best to use professional translation services for the following:

Critical information: These documents include court scripts, patents, client or business contracts and any other legally binding text.
Open-ended surveys: Where participants must respond in their language and words.
Technical subject matter: When translating medical and pharmaceutical prescriptions and other information.
Marketing materials: Website content, product descriptions and other advertising collateral.
Certified translations: These are translations of official documents like driver’s licenses, immigration papers, and academic transcripts.

Need Reliable Translation Services?

While Google Translate can be handy for everyday use, it’s best to rely on professional services for more intricate translations. If you need credible translation solutions, we can help.

Speak Your Language is a leading and trustworthy professional translation provider. We specialise in technical document translations, including medical, legal, immigration, and marriage certificates. Our experienced and skilled translators are NAATI-certified and provide high-quality and reliable services.

Nedzad

06:29 01 Sep 17

This is my first time dealing with these people. Excellent service. I had a death certificate translated into English and first they told me it will take about 1 week to be completed. I was pleasantly surprised when they called me 2 hours later telling me they have already emailed me a translated soft copy. The document was translated accurately. Using these people's services is my high recommendation. I will definitely use their service again.

Amir Saad

06:58 31 Aug 17

The team at Speak Your Language are extremely professional. Had my birth certificate translated and e-mailed back to me so quick at a great price. Accurate, spot-on! Thank you! Definitely using your service again.

Jaclyn Verghis

06:06 31 Aug 17

Speak Your Language provided our company with an excellent competitive rate for healthcare-focused documentation, for translation requests in multiple languages. They were contactable throughout the entire process, and their service was prompt and very accommodating to our specific needs. We would recommend Speak Your Language to anyone requiring prompt and efficient translation services.

Nikki Rotar

03:19 04 Sep 17

Natalie is very professional, always able to assist us with Interpreters at short notice Great work guys !!!

vc cc

01:24 18 Sep 17

Absolutely the best service!!! Excellent customer service skills and friendly staff. Thank you for your consistent high quality service.

Hannah Doherty

02:42 06 Sep 17

I use SYL almost daily for work purposes. They are a very high quality, friendly and efficient interpreting service. Thank you!

Nour A

00:50 28 Sep 17

You were very fast within an hour you finished translating my husband’s paper. Thank you so much

Marianne Yaghljian

12:45 20 Nov 18

Brooke Marzouk, is a excellent second to none Customer Service Manager at "Speak your Language". My experiences with Brooke, have been positive and prompt. I gave her a criteria of what type of interpreter I was looking for. She quickly found a interpreter for my family. There is no messing around with Brooke, she gets back to you promptly, with great communication skills, gives you a peace of mind, processing payment over the phone and she immediately sends you a email confirmation with booking details. Rest assure you are dealing with a very professional and efficient company, with vast interpreters of many languages available. Thank you.

Asad Mehmood

05:34 03 Dec 18

Excellent and very quick customer service. I needed a formal document translated from Urdu to English. Rang them up and spoke to George and he translated documents on urgent basis and quality of work is excellent. Very happy with services received. Definitely would recommend. Asad

Yaz Saba

12:48 11 Jan 19

Thank you so much, you guys are amazing I needed a document translated urgently. Is was completed within 24 hours. Best service. Highly recommend.

Daniela Riquelme

09:23 12 Nov 18

I needed my birth certificate to be translated and I was recommended SYL by a friend. I'm glad I asked for his advice because once I got in touch with one of the representatives it was all smooth sailing from there. I asked for a quote and they got back to me in around 20 minutes. The entire process was done in 3 hours including payment - which was also the best and cheapest quote I had received out of all the businesses I contacted. George M was extremely friendly, informative and made the whole process a breeze for me when I was initially dreading it. Thank you!

Olga Fischer

21:52 03 Dec 18

Great customer service, helpful staf, fast translations and quick delivery. I've used their services several times and was happy on every occasion. Highly recommend.

Robyn Jorgensen

04:56 01 Jun 23

Alison was a wonderful asset to our meeting. She was very efficient and empathetic. She communicated well to both parties - in English and Mandarin. Very happy with the support snd service

Susie Wilkins

05:56 09 Jun 23

I had a wonderful experience with Arabic interpreter Nada O. As soon as SYL connected Nada and I, Nada explained to me she would introduce herself to my client then introduce me. Nada was professional, clear and paused throughout the call. There were no moments of speaking over the top of each other, she sounded completely focused on our phone call alone.

A Mohmand

13:48 04 Mar 23

Masha’Allah! Speak Your Language is a very good organisation. Professional service, excellent customer service and state of the art tech. The team is very friendly and helpful. Specially Anna. I definitely recommend SYL to everyone one.

nevine nawar

05:07 07 Feb 23

Very fast and easy service! Will definitely be back for any further translating needs. Thank you so much

Liliana Di Pietro

21:50 15 Mar 23

I had a great experience. Barley was very helpful and kind. Everything was done quickly and efficiently. Thank you