Apply known expansion ratios per language
Each target language has a well-documented average text-expansion ratio (e.g. German commonly runs 20-35% longer than English) applied to your source string length.
Free MVP localization tool
LocalizeUI
Estimate how much your UI text will expand or contract when translated, using real expansion ratios per target language, so layouts do not break at launch.
- Calculated instantly from your inputs
- No signup or data submission
- A focused next step for MVP planning
Your entries remain in this browser session and are not sent to MVPHub.
Your inputs
Estimate translated text length per UI string
Enter one string per line as Label | English text | target language (german/french/spanish/arabic/japanese/chinese). List every UI string you plan to translate.
Your calculated result
Your result
0/100
Planning score
Recommended next actions
How it works
Compare against your available width
The estimated translated length is compared against the character width you specify your component actually has room for.
Flag strings likely to overflow
Any string whose estimated translated length exceeds your stated available width is flagged as a likely layout risk before translation even happens.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are these expansion ratios?
They are industry-standard averages (e.g. German +35%, Chinese often -30% to -50% since CJK characters convey more per character) — actual expansion varies by specific phrase, but the averages are a reliable planning signal.
What if my actual translation comes back much longer than estimated?
Use this as a pre-translation planning check, then re-verify with actual translated strings once you have them — this estimates risk, it does not replace final QA.
Should short strings like button labels get more buffer than long strings?
Yes — short strings often expand by a higher percentage relatively (a 2-word button label expanding by one word is a big percentage change), so give extra buffer to short, critical UI text.
Does this handle right-to-left languages like Arabic?
This estimates text length for Arabic; use RTLReady separately to check right-to-left layout adaptation, which is a different concern from length.
How we compare
| Capability | MVPHub | Assuming translations will be about the same length | Waiting for real translations to reveal layout problems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uses real per-language expansion ratios | ✓ | × | × |
| Flags overflow risk before translation happens | ✓ | × | × |
| Tests against actual final translated strings | × | × | ✓ |
| Instant, no translation vendor required yet | ✓ | ✓ | × |
MVPHub estimates risk before you pay for translation. Waiting for real translated strings catches actual issues but only after the cost and delay of translation has already happened.