What Are the Most Translated Books in the World?

The World's Most Translated Books: A Complete Overview

Books connect people across time and place. Some stories become global favorites through translation, making them accessible to all. With services like GoTranscript's translation, more people than ever can enjoy these literary masterpieces, no matter what language they speak.

Top 10 Most Translated Books

The list of most translated books contains a mix of religious works, children's stories, and timeless classics. These books have reached readers in hundreds of languages through dedicated effort and advanced transcription services.

The Bible: The Most Translated Book

• The Bible has been translated into nearly 3,400 languages, more than any other text on earth (United Bible Societies, 2023).
• Rhapsody of Realities by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, a Bible study guide, has over 2,000 translations (Christ Embassy, 2023).
• What Does the Bible Really Teach? by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society is available in nearly 300 languages.
• My Book of Bible Stories, also from the Watch Tower Society, is a children's book with about 200 translations.

1. The Little Prince (Le Petit Prince)

Written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in French, The Little Prince has been translated into almost 400 languages (Saint-Exupéry Foundation, 2023).

• This makes it the most translated non-religious book of all time.
• The story is about a stranded pilot who meets a young prince from another planet.
• The book sells around 2 million copies each year.

2. The Adventures of Pinocchio (Le Avventure di Pinocchio)

Carlo Collodi's Italian children’s tale about a wooden puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy is nearing 150 years old.

• With over 300 translations, Pinocchio remains a favorite across generations.
• The book has inspired many film adaptations.

3. Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching)

Authored by Laozi around 400 BC, this ancient Chinese philosophical text has reached more than 250 languages.

• It explains the principles of Daoism, or Taoism.
• Translations grew in the 20th century as interest rose in the West.

4. Pilgrim’s Progress

John Bunyan's 17th-century Christian allegory is one of the first English novels and has over 200 translations.

• The story follows the journey of “Christian” to the Celestial City, symbolizing Heaven.

5. Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

Lewis Carroll’s classic fantasy has been translated into about 175 languages since the 1800s (Carroll Society, 2022).

• The book is known for its creativity and imaginative storytelling.
• It appeals to both children and adults.

6. Am I Small? (Bin Ich Klein?)

Philipp Winterberg’s 2013 German children’s book has already been translated into over 160 languages.

• It tells the charming tale of Tamia, who wonders if she is small in a big world.
• The book is a modern example of the power of audio translation services and global publishing.

7. Andersen’s Fairy Tales

Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale collections have been translated into over 160 languages.

• These stories originated in Danish in the 1830s.
• Famous tales include
  • The Emperor’s New Clothes
  • The Princess and the Pea
  • The Little Mermaid
  • Thumbelina

8. Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea (Vingt Mille Lieues sous les Mers)

Jules Verne’s science fiction epic, published in the late 1800s, has been translated into nearly 150 languages.

• The adventures of Captain Nemo and the Nautilus explore themes still relevant today.

9. Don Quixote (El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha)

Miguel de Cervantes’ story of a Spanish noble who thinks he is a knight came out in the early 1600s.

• The book has about 145 language translations and is widely regarded as the first modern novel.

10. The Adventures of Tintin (Les Aventures de Tintin)

Hergé’s comic strip about the daring reporter Tintin has been translated into over 115 languages.

• The series ran from the 1920s to the 1970s and is still popular worldwide.

Honorable Mentions

• Asterix the Gaul (Astérix le Gaulois) by René Goscinny, Albert Uderzo, and Jean-Yves Ferri: Franco-Belgian comic, translated into over 115 languages.
• Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: English fantasy series available in over 80 languages.
• Pippi Longstocking (Pippi Långstrump) by Astrid Lindgren: Swedish children's favorite published in more than 70 languages.
• The Kon-Tiki Expedition (Kon-Tiki Ekspedisjonin) by Thor Heyerdahl: Norwegian nonfiction, translated more than 70 times.

Why Book Translation Matters Today

Translation allows people from all over the world to enjoy the same stories. It supports cultural exchange, education, and creativity. More books are being translated as technology grows and companies offer dedicated transcription proofreading and closed captioning for videos and audiobooks.

• Publishing success today depends on high-quality human translation for accuracy and cultural understanding (PEN America, 2021).
• Automated solutions can speed up the process. Humans ensure flavor, nuance, and natural flow.

How GoTranscript Can Help

If you want your book, article, or script to reach a global audience, GoTranscript offers expert text translation services. You can choose fast and affordable automated transcription or order a dedicated AI transcription subscription.

• Review service options and transcription pricing.
• Get clear captioning pricing for multimedia projects.
• Easily order transcription or order captions online.

With proven expertise, GoTranscript ensures your stories are ready for readers everywhere. Enjoy clear, accurate translations for any language or project—making the world's best books truly global.