Freelance Rate Calculator

Find the hourly, day and project rate you need to charge to take home what you want, after taxes, expenses, time off and unpaid admin hours.

Take-home income goal / year (after tax) Business expenses / year (software, insurance, equipment) Tax rate % (income + self-employment, estimate) Hours worked per week Billable % of those hours (rest is admin, marketing, sales) Weeks off per year (holidays, sick, vacation) Hours in a typical project (for project price)

You should charge at least

per hour

Day rate (8 hrs)–

Project price–

Revenue needed / year–

Billable hours / year–

Revenue needed / month–

Equivalent employee salary*–

*Rough salary at which an employee would take home the same, before benefits. Estimates only, not tax or financial advice.

How the calculation works

Revenue needed = (take-home goal + expenses) ÷ (1 − tax rate). Billable hours = hours per week × billable % × weeks worked. Your minimum hourly rate is revenue needed ÷ billable hours. Most freelancers only bill 50–70% of their working time, which is why charging a normal salary's hourly equivalent leaves you short.

FAQ

What is a good freelance hourly rate?

It depends on your skill, market and costs. Use the calculator for your floor, then price above it based on the value you deliver.

Why is my rate higher than a salary's hourly equivalent?

You pay your own taxes, insurance and equipment, you get no paid leave, and unbillable time (finding clients, invoicing) still takes hours.

Should I charge hourly or per project?

Project pricing rewards you for working faster. Estimate hours, multiply by your rate, then add a buffer for revisions.