A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "How much money" in Spanish
Ask the price of an item in Spanish with this essential phrase for shoppers and travelers.
¿Cuánto cuesta?
KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tahneutral
Spanish TTS · 0:01
Use this when you see something you want to buy and need to know its price. It's perfect for markets, shops, or even when asking about a service.
Alternatives
- ¿Cuánto vale?More common in Spain and some other regions.
- ¿Qué precio tiene?Slightly more formal, good for a more detailed inquiry.
Ways to get it wrong
Confusing 'cuesta' with 'cesta'
'Cuesta' means 'costs,' while 'cesta' means 'basket.'
Using 'dinero'
'Dinero' means 'money,' but you're asking for the price, not the general concept of money.
A small cultural note
In some Latin American countries, it's common to also ask '¿Y el cambio?' (And the change?) after paying.
Frequently asked
How do I ask how much something costs in Spanish?
The most common way is '¿Cuánto cuesta?'. This directly translates to 'How much does it cost?'.
What's the difference between '¿Cuánto cuesta?' and '¿Cuánto vale?'
'¿Cuánto cuesta?' is widely understood, while '¿Cuánto vale?' is more prevalent in Spain and some parts of Latin America.
Can I use '¿Cuánto cuesta?' for anything?
Yes, you can use it for almost any item or service where you need to inquire about the price.
How do you say 'how much money' in Spanish?
The most common way to ask 'how much money' is '¿cuánto dinero?'. You can also ask '¿cuánto cuesta?' which means 'how much does it cost?'.
What's the polite way to ask the price in Spanish?
To politely ask the price, you can say '¿Cuánto cuesta, por favor?' (How much does it cost, please?). Another polite option is '¿Me podría decir el precio?' (Could you tell me the price?).
How do you say 'how much' in Mexico?
In Mexico, you can use '¿cuánto?' or '¿cuánto cuesta?' to ask 'how much'. The phrase '¿cuánto dinero?' is also understood.
How much does it cost in Spanish?
To ask 'how much does it cost' in Spanish, you can say '¿Cuánto cuesta?'. If you are asking about multiple items, you would say '¿Cuánto cuestan?'.