Last reviewed by Robert Prime — May 2026
Line editing and copyediting get used interchangeably, and they're not the same thing. Knowing the difference stops you paying for the wrong edit — or assuming one covers the other.
Line editing: how the prose reads
Line editing is creative, sentence-level work on style and flow:
- Tightening flabby, repetitive or over-written sentences.
- Improving rhythm, pacing and word choice.
- Cutting filler, strengthening weak verbs, varying sentence length.
- Flagging where the prose is clear on the page but clunky in the ear.
A line editor makes your writing better, not just correct. It's the edit that turns competent prose into prose with voice.
Copyediting: what's technically wrong
Copyediting is corrective, the technical clean-up:
- Grammar, punctuation, spelling.
- Consistency (UK vs US spelling, hyphenation, capitalisation, character-name and timeline continuity).
- Fact-checking obvious errors, style-guide adherence.
A copy editor makes your writing correct. It's non-negotiable — readers tend to forgive imperfect style more readily than they forgive errors.
Where they sit — and whether you need both
The chain: developmental → line edit → copyedit → proofread. In practice, many editors combine line and copy into a single "line/copy edit" pass, which is the efficient option for most indie books.
If budget forces a single edit, choose copyediting — clean correctness helps protect you from the "needs editing" reviews that can hurt ratings, whereas style polish, while valuable, is a refinement.
What they cost in the UK (2026)
- Line editing: roughly £15-£30 per 1,000 words.
- Copyediting: roughly £12-£20 per 1,000 words.
- Combined line/copy: usually priced between the two, and the best value for most authors.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between line editing and copyediting?
Line editing improves style and flow (creative); copyediting fixes grammar, punctuation and consistency (corrective). Line edit makes prose better; copyedit makes it correct.
Do I need both line editing and copyediting?
Ideally yes, but many editors combine them into one line/copy pass — the efficient choice for most indie books. If you can afford only one, choose copyediting.
How much do they cost in the UK?
Line editing roughly £15-£30 per 1,000 words; copyediting £12-£20. A combined pass sits in between.
What order do edits go in?
Developmental first, then line, then copy, then proofread the final formatted file.
Related guides
External references
- Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) — UK editor directory + rates
- Alliance of Independent Authors
About this guide
Written by Robert Prime for publishing.co.uk. Last reviewed May 2026.
