Most 60-second animations for UK businesses cost between £3,000 and £10,000, depending on the style, complexity and number of scenes. Motion graphics sit at the lower end, while 2D character work and 3D animation push the price higher.
Unlike longer videos, the first 10–15 seconds of any animation are the most expensive. That’s because your illustration style, assets, characters, transitions and visual toolkit are all built upfront. Once these foundations are done, each additional second becomes more efficient.
If you need a full overview of animation pricing, you can also read our main guide: How Much Does Animation Cost?
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Most 60-second animations sit between £3,000–£10,000.
- Short videos cost more per second because asset creation happens upfront.
- Style is the biggest price driver – motion graphics are cheaper; 3D and character work cost more.
- 10s, 30s and 60s animations all share the same setup work, so pricing isn’t linear.
- Fast turnarounds, multiple characters or scene changes increase the price.
🧭 Jump to:
| 💷 60-Second Cost Breakdown | ⏱️ Per-Second vs Per-Minute Pricing |
| 🎨 What Affects the Cost? | 📊 10s vs 30s vs 60s Pricing |
| 💼 Real Budget Examples | ❓ FAQs |
1. 60-Second Animation Cost Breakdown
Here’s what 60 seconds typically costs when produced professionally by an animation studio:
| Style | Typical Cost (60 Seconds) | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Motion Graphics | £3,000–£6,000 | Service explainers, process overviews, B2B content |
| 2D Animation | £4,000–£8,000 | Brand storytelling, product intros, campaigns |
| 2D Character Animation | £6,000–£12,000 | Training scenarios, people-focused stories, onboarding |
| 3D Animation | £6,000–£20,000+ | Product demos, technical visualisations, premium content |
If you’re unsure which route fits your project, explore our full animation capabilities here:
- Animation Production Services
- 2D Animation
- 3D Animation
- Motion Graphics
- Whiteboard Animation
- Character Animation
- Scriptwriting & Storyboarding
2. Cost Per Second vs Per Minute (Why Small Clips Cost More)
Animation pricing is not linear. A 10-second video isn’t one-sixth the price of a 60-second video – it’s often more expensive per second.
This is because the first chunk of your project includes:
- style frames
- character rigs
- brand illustration setup
- scene design
- transitions
Once these assets exist, adding more seconds becomes dramatically more efficient.
This is why your 2D vs 3D Cost Guide already ranks for many “per second / per minute” queries – and why this page strengthens that cluster.
3. What Affects the Cost of a 60-Second Animation?
A few practical factors shift the price up or down:
- Scene count – more scenes = more design + more transitions
- Characters – rigs, expressions and movement increase time
- Style choice – motion graphics vs 2D vs 3D
- Pacing – dense scripts need more visual changes
- Voiceover + sound – professional audio adds cost
- Deadlines – rushed delivery increases resource
For a deeper breakdown of production costs, see How Much Does Animation Cost? and Why Do Animations Cost So Much?.
4. 10s vs 30s vs 60s Animation Pricing (Comparison Table)
Shorter doesn’t always mean cheaper. In fact, 10- or 30-second animations often cost more per second than a full 60-second piece. Here’s how the real numbers play out.
| Length | Typical Cost | Cost per Second | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 seconds | £400–£1,200 | £40–£120/s | Same setup as longer videos, so higher per-second cost |
| 30 seconds | £1,200–£3,000 | £40–£100/s | 2–4 scenes, minimal characters, faster production |
| 60 seconds | £3,000–£10,000 | £50–£166/s | Full narrative arc with more scenes + transitions |
Think of length as the final layer – not the price driver. The groundwork always sets the cost; the seconds simply build on it.
5. Real Examples: What You Get for Different Budgets
To make the pricing ranges feel more real, here’s what different budgets actually deliver in terms of style, complexity and production craft.
£3,000–£4,000
- Simple motion graphics
- Limited scenes
- No character animation
- Basic transitions + VO
£6,000–£8,000 (Most common)
- Full custom 2D animation
- Multiple scenes
- Light character work
- Brand-led illustration
- Custom sound design
£10,000–£15,000
- Detailed illustration + character acting
- Hybrid 2D/3D or full 3D sequences
- Complex transitions + effects
- Premium sound + multiple exports
For style-specific guidance, see our pages on 2D Animation, 3D Animation and Motion Graphics.
6. FAQs
Still comparing options? These quick answers cover the questions we hear most around 60-second animation pricing.
Why is a short animation more expensive per second?
Because style frames, characters and assets must be created no matter how short the video is. These upfront hours compress the cost into fewer seconds.
How long does a 60-second animation take?
Typically 4–8 weeks, depending on complexity and feedback speed.
Does 3D cost more than 2D?
Yes – 3D requires modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering. See our 2D vs 3D guide for the full breakdown.
Is voiceover included?
Usually, yes. Most professional projects include VO, music licensing and sound design.
Can AI reduce the cost?
AI can speed up concepting and backgrounds, but it cannot yet replace brand-safe commercial animation.
🎬 Ready to Create Your 60-Second Animation?
Our Lancashire-based animation team produces all work in-house – from scriptwriting and style frames to final delivery. If you’re planning a 60-second animation for your brand, we’ll help you scope it clearly and find the right style for your budget.
