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ElevenLabs dubbing translates video speech into other languages with matching voices: about 850 characters per minute of speech, so about 850 credits per dubbed minute. Dubbing a 10-minute video costs about 8,500 credits. Coverage spans 74 languages, with honest limits on lip-sync and nuance (checked 1 Nov 2026).
Best for: Creators localizing YouTube videos, courses, and marketing content into new languages without re-recording.
Not for: Lip-sync-critical cinema or content where cultural nuance carries the meaning — human dubbing artists still own that tier.
Starting price: $0 to test (free plan, 10,000 credits ≈ 11 dubbed minutes); monetized content needs a paid plan from $6/month (1 Nov 2026).
Before you start: what you need
| Have ready | Why it matters | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| The source video with clear speech | Dubbing quality starts with clean source audio | $0 |
| Target language(s) from the 74 covered | Coverage decides whether dubbing is even possible | $0 to check |
| A paid plan for monetized content | Dubbed videos earning money are commercial use | From $6/month (Starter) |
| A video editor for final assembly | Dubbed audio drops onto the timeline like any voiceover | $0 (your existing editor) |
Step 1 — Pick the video and target language
Start with content that dubs well: talking-head explainers, tutorials, narrated videos — formats where the voice carries the meaning and the visuals do not depend on lip movements. Check that your target language is among the 74 covered; major world languages are, and the list grows. Prioritize videos with proven performance in the original language — dubbing a hit multiplies its audience, while dubbing a flop multiplies its cost. Estimate the credit budget: minutes of speech × ~850 characters per minute × 1 credit per character. A 10-minute video costs about 8,500 credits. Cost of this step: $0 — selection and maths cost nothing.
Step 2 — Transcribe and review the source script
Every dub starts from a transcript. Generate or upload one, then review it line by line — transcription errors become translation errors become dubbing errors, so this review is the foundation. Fix names, terms, and brand words with the pronunciation techniques mindset: if the transcript is wrong, everything downstream is wrong. Mark sections by timestamp so the dubbed audio can be aligned later. For a 10-minute video, expect about 8,500 characters of transcript. This step is unglamorous and decisive. Cost of this step: $0 — transcription review costs nothing.
Step 3 — Translate with dubbing in mind
Translation for dubbing is not literary translation — it is timed translation. The translated script must roughly match the original’s timing, because the dubbed voice needs to fit the same video. Shorten or expand sentences to hit the timestamps; a translation that runs 20% long will never sync. Keep names and brand terms consistent with the pronunciation dictionary approach — decide once how each term sounds in the target language. Review the translation for natural phrasing; awkward translations sound doubly awkward in a synthetic voice. Cost of this step: $0 — translation happens outside the credit system.
Step 4 — Generate the dubbed voiceover
Generate the translated script with a voice matched to the original speaker’s age, gender, and energy — the dub should feel like the same person speaking another language. Use the voice selection criteria with the added constraint of target-language fluency. Format with the prompt techniques adapted to the language’s rhythm. Generate in timestamped sections matching the video’s structure so alignment stays manageable. A 10-minute dub costs about 8,500 credits at 1 per character. If a section’s timing drifts badly, regenerate that section with a tightened or loosened translation — not the whole video. Cost of this step: ~850 credits per dubbed minute.
Step 5 — Sync, mix, and export
Download the dubbed sections — 0 extra credits per download, unlimited re-downloads from History (the download guide covers the workflow) — and lay them on the timeline against the video. Nudge clips to match scene changes and speaker turns; perfect lip-sync is not the goal (and not achievable), but rhythmic alignment is. Duck the original audio or mute it, mix the dub at natural levels, and add back music and sound design. Export per the platform’s spec. Watch the full dubbed video once — timing issues hide in transcripts and reveal themselves in playback. Cost of this step: $0 — downloads and editing bill nothing.
Step 6 — Confirm licensing for each market
Dubbed content that earns money — ads, monetized videos, paid courses — is commercial use in every market it reaches, so the paid plan behind it must cover commercial rights per the terms (updated 9 Oct 2026); free-plan output is non-commercial. Starter at $6/month is the entry point (the $1 first-month offer is shown until Nov 8 when checked). If the original video features contracted talent, confirm the talent agreement covers AI dubbing — voice rights get complicated across languages. The commercial use guide has the full breakdown. Cost of this step: $0 to verify; $6/month minimum for the license.
What dubbing costs in credits
| Video length | Characters (approx) | Credits per language | 3 languages total | Plan fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 minutes | ~4,250 | ~4,250 | ~12,750 | Starter (30,000) — one video, 3 languages |
| 10 minutes | ~8,500 | ~8,500 | ~25,500 | Starter — one video, 3 languages, tight |
| 30 minutes | ~25,500 | ~25,500 | ~76,500 | Creator ($22/mo, 121,000) |
Languages multiply the bill: each target language is a full regeneration. Budget per video per language, and start with one language to prove the workflow before committing to five. For all quotas, see the ElevenLabs pricing breakdown.
5 tips for better dubs
- Dub winners first. Proven videos earn back the dubbing cost; unproven ones gamble it.
- Translate for timing, not literature. The dub must fit the video’s timestamps.
- Match the speaker, not just the language. Age, gender, and energy continuity sell the illusion.
- One language at a time. Prove the workflow before multiplying the credit bill.
- Watch the whole dub. Timing issues hide in transcripts and reveal themselves in playback.
Common problems and fixes
The dub drifts out of sync
Tighten or loosen the translation in the drifting section and regenerate just that section — never the whole video. Timestamped sections make surgical fixes cheap.
The translated script sounds awkward
Rewrite for natural phrasing in the target language before regenerating. Awkward translations sound doubly awkward in synthetic voices — the translation review is where dubs are won.
The dubbed voice does not match the speaker
Recast with closer age, gender, and energy matching. The dub should feel like the same person in another language — a mismatch breaks the illusion instantly.
My language is not covered
Check the current 74-language list — coverage grows over time. If your target is missing, the alternative is the standard TTS workflow in a supported language, or human dubbing for the gap. The main walkthrough covers manual multi-language production.
Dubbing: pros and cons
Pros
- 74 languages from one workflow — reach audiences re-recording cannot afford.
- Per-minute maths are simple: ~850 credits per dubbed minute.
- Voice matching keeps the speaker’s identity across languages.
- Section-based regeneration makes sync fixes cheap.
Cons
- No true lip-sync — rhythmic alignment is the achievable goal.
- Languages multiply costs — 5 languages means 5 full regenerations.
- Cultural nuance and humor often need human adaptation.
- Contracted on-camera talent may restrict AI dubbing rights.
Who should NOT dub with AI
Cinema and premium drama with lip-sync requirements need human dubbing artists — that tier is not automatable yet. Comedy heavily dependent on cultural wordplay needs human adapters, not just translators. And single-language creators with no international audience should spend the credits on better originals instead. The free plan guide covers testing a short dub at $0 before committing.
Frequently asked questions
How does ElevenLabs dubbing work?
Transcribe the source video, translate the script with timing in mind, generate the translated script with a voice matched to the original speaker, and sync the dubbed sections to the video timeline. Each target language is a separate generation pass.
How many credits does dubbing cost?
About 850 characters per minute of speech, so about 850 credits per dubbed minute at 1 credit per character. A 10-minute video costs about 8,500 credits per language — budget per video per language.
How many languages does ElevenLabs dubbing support?
74 languages (checked 1 Nov 2026), covering the major world languages. Check the current list for your specific target — coverage grows over time, and some languages dub better than others.
Can I monetize dubbed videos?
Yes, on a paid plan — monetized dubbed content is commercial use, reserved to paid tiers (Starter $6/month and up) by the terms. Free-plan output is non-commercial in every market.
Does AI dubbing match lip movements?
No — true lip-sync is not achievable; rhythmic alignment to scene changes and speaker turns is the realistic goal. Formats where the voice carries the meaning (tutorials, narration) dub far better than dialogue-heavy drama.
Which ElevenLabs plan is best for dubbing?
Starter ($6/month, 30,000 credits) covers a 10-minute video in 3 languages. Regular multi-language publishing needs Creator ($22/month, 121,000) — budget per video per language, always.
Sources checked
Dubbing workflow and language coverage come from the official ElevenLabs platform and documentation; credit rates and plan quotas from the official ElevenLabs pricing page; commercial-use terms from the official ElevenLabs terms of use (updated 9 Oct 2026). All facts checked 1 Nov 2026.
Last updated 1 Nov 2026. Prices checked on the official ElevenLabs pricing page on that date; confirm at checkout.