Last reviewed by Emma Hartley — May 2026
Proofreading is the step authors most often rush, and it's the one readers most reliably punish — a handful of typos in the opening pages is the fastest way to a one-star "needs editing" review. Here's how to do it properly.
What proofreading actually is
Proofreading is the final pass: catching typos, missed words, doubled words, punctuation slips, and formatting errors after every other edit is complete. It is not:
- Developmental editing — structure, pacing, plot.
- Copyediting — sentence-level clarity, grammar, consistency.
The order is always: developmental → copyedit → proofread. Proofreading a book that hasn't been copyedited just polishes problems that a copyedit should have removed.
What it costs in the UK (2026)
Professional proofreading runs roughly £8-£15 per 1,000 words. For an 80,000-word novel that's about £700-£1,300. Rates vary by complexity (non-fiction with references costs more) and turnaround.
If that's beyond budget, the DIY method below catches most errors — but a professional pass is the single best money you can spend on a launch after the cover, because typos undermine everything else.
The DIY proofreading method that actually works
Your brain auto-corrects your own writing, so you must trick it into seeing the words fresh:
- Change the font and size. Different typography forces your eye to read, not skim.
- Read aloud. Your ear catches missed and doubled words your eye glides over.
- Use text-to-speech. Have your device read the book to you while you follow the text — this catches homophones (their/there) and missing words better than anything.
- Read backwards by paragraph. Start at the last paragraph and work up. It breaks the narrative flow so you see words, not story.
- Proofread the final formatted file, not the manuscript. Formatting introduces its own errors — bad line breaks, dropped italics, broken hyphenation. Always check what readers will actually see. (See formatting.)
- Leave a gap. A week between writing and proofing dramatically improves what you catch.
The golden rule
If you possibly can, don't let your own eyes be the only proofreading pass. A beta reader, a swap with another author, or a professional will always catch what you can't — because they're reading the words, not the words they meant to write.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between proofreading and copyediting?
Copyediting fixes sentences — grammar, clarity, consistency. Proofreading is the final sweep for typos and formatting after copyediting is done. You need both; they're different jobs, often different people.
How much does proofreading cost in the UK?
Roughly £8-£15 per 1,000 words in 2026 — about £700-£1,300 for an 80,000-word novel.
Can I proofread my own book?
You can, using the font-change / read-aloud / text-to-speech / backwards methods, but it should never be the only pass if avoidable — your brain auto-corrects your own work.
When do I proofread — before or after formatting?
After. Proofread the final formatted file, because formatting introduces its own errors that the manuscript version won't show.
Is one proofreading pass enough?
For most indie books, one thorough professional pass (or two careful DIY passes using different methods) is enough. Diminishing returns set in after that.
Related guides
- Hiring an editor
- Self-editing checklist
- Beta readers for authors
- How to format a book for KDP
- Self-publishing costs UK
External references
- Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) — UK professional body + directory
- Alliance of Independent Authors
About this guide
Written by Emma Hartley for publishing.co.uk. Last reviewed May 2026.