Free Freelance Rate Calculator
Enter your desired take-home income, billable hours per week and estimated tax rate to calculate the minimum hourly and daily rate you need to charge as a freelancer.
Freelance Rate Calculator
Mr B says: Most new freelancers undercharge. Factor in taxes, unpaid admin time, and no sick leave before you quote. The number needs to cover all of that, not just replace your salary.$
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Your minimum freelance rate
Gross income needed—
Minimum hourly rate—
Minimum daily rate (8hr day)—
Total billable hours / year—
This is a minimum rate. Factor in your market value, experience, and the rate clients in your niche expect. Charging above the minimum is the goal.
⚠️ This tool is for general guidance only and is not financial advice.
Common questions
Freelance rate questions
Add up your desired take-home income plus taxes and business expenses to get your required gross income. Divide by your total billable hours per year (weeks worked × hours per week). The result is your minimum rate. Most freelancers should add a margin above the minimum to account for market positioning.
Aim for 60–75% of your working hours being billable. A 40-hour working week rarely produces 40 billable hours once you account for admin, sales, networking, and professional development. 25–30 billable hours per week is realistic for many freelancers. Overestimating billable hours leads to systematically undercharging.
Unlike employees, freelancers pay tax on gross income with no employer contribution. Set aside 25–35% of every invoice payment for tax (the exact rate depends on your country and income level). This calculator grosses up your target income by your estimated tax rate, so you can see what you need to earn before tax.
Daily rates vary enormously by industry, skill, location, and experience. A useful benchmark: multiply your equivalent full-time annual salary by 1.5–2x to account for lack of benefits, unpaid admin time, and irregular income. Use this calculator to find your minimum, then research market rates in your niche to set your actual rate.