A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How much is it" in Spanish
Learn how to ask 'how much is it' in Spanish with ¿Cuánto cuesta?, the most widely accepted and neutral way to check prices while shopping.
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAN-toh KWEHS-tahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this phrase when you are pointing at a specific item in a market or store and want to know its price. It works perfectly for clothes, souvenirs, or street food. It is universally understood across all of Latin America and Spain.
Alternatives
- ¿A cuánto está?better when asking for the price of produce or items sold by weight at a market
- ¿Cuánto vale?highly common and interchangeable with cuesta, especially popular in Colombia and Spain
- ¿Cuánto sería?better when you are ready to pay for your total accumulated purchase at the register
Ways to get it wrong
Using 'cómo' instead of 'cuánto'
English speakers sometimes literal-translate 'how' to 'cómo', but '¿Cómo cuesta?' makes no sense in Spanish.
Mispronouncing the 'cu' sound
Make sure to pronounce the 'cu' as a quick 'kw' sound, rather than treating the 'u' as a silent letter.
A small cultural note
In traditional open-air markets across Latin America, asking the price is often the starting point for friendly haggling, whereas in established retail stores, prices are fixed.
Frequently asked
how do you ask for the total price in spanish
To ask for the total bill or final amount at a register, say '¿Cuánto es en total?' or '¿Cuánto sería?'. This tells the cashier you are ready to swipe your card or hand over cash.
is cuanto cuesta polite enough for a nice restaurant
Yes, it is perfectly polite, but asking the server '¿Cuánto cuesta este plato?' can feel a bit blunt. Instead, you can ask '¿Qué precio tiene este plato?' for a slightly more polished tone.
difference between cuanto cuesta and cuanto vale
There is virtually no difference in meaning, and both are completely natural. 'Cuánto cuesta' literally means 'how much does it cost,' while 'cuánto vale' means 'how much is it worth.'
What's the polite way to ask the price in Spanish?
To be polite, you can use '¿Cuánto cuesta, por favor?' which means 'How much does it cost, please?'.
How do you say how much does it cost in Mexico?
In Mexico, you can ask '¿Cuánto cuesta?' or '¿Qué precio tiene?' to inquire about the cost.
How do you say in Spanish what is the price?
You can say '¿Cuál es el precio?' which directly translates to 'What is the price?'.
How do you say 'how much is it' in Spanish?
The most common way to ask 'how much is it' in Spanish is '¿Cuánto cuesta?'.
