In the context of transcription, gross line billing counts every line that has a set minimum number of characters as a full line. The minimum is usually set between 5 and 10 characters. So lets assume the minimum is 5 characters, if the only characters on a line are “doctor.” Gross line billing would call for that to count as an entire line because it is more than the set minimum of 5 characters (it contains 7 with the period).
At Hypertype we use net line billing, we only count partial lines for what they actually contain. For example 7 characters would be billed as 7/65 of a line, instead of charging for an entire lines!