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Freelance Rate Calc

Set your income goal and get the hourly rate you need to charge. Accounts for billable hours, business expenses and taxes so your rate covers real life, not just wishful math.

Your numbers

Your rate

Press Calculate rate to see what you should charge.

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The real freelance math

Employees get paid for 40 hours; freelancers bill far fewer after admin, marketing and gaps between clients. This calculator starts from your target take-home income, adds business expenses, grosses the total up for taxes, adds your profit buffer, then divides by realistic billable hours. The result is the rate that actually funds the life you described.

Using the rate

Treat the hourly figure as your floor, not your aspiration. Quote fixed projects by estimating hours and multiplying, and revisit the inputs quarterly as expenses and tax rates change. If the market will not bear your number, the inputs show exactly which lever to pull.

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Freelance Rate Calc FAQs

Why are billable hours lower than 40 per week?
Freelancers spend unpaid time on proposals, invoicing, marketing and learning. Most full-time freelancers bill 20-30 hours weekly; 25 is a realistic default.
Should I include taxes in my rate?
Yes. Unlike employees, you pay the full tax burden yourself, so the calculator grosses up your target income by your effective tax rate before dividing into hours.
What is the buffer for?
A profit margin above break-even for savings, slow months and price negotiation room. Ten percent is modest; many experienced freelancers use 15-20%.
How do I quote a fixed-price project?
Estimate the hours honestly, multiply by your hourly rate, and add contingency for scope creep. The 4-week project guide gives a quick sanity check.
Is my financial data stored?
No. Every calculation runs in your browser and nothing you enter is saved or transmitted.
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