Freelance Rate Calculator
Estimate the hourly rate you need to reach your income goal after business costs and non-billable time.
How the freelance rate calculator works
Your rate needs to cover your desired income, business expenses and taxes across the hours you can realistically bill clients for. Non-billable time such as marketing, admin and sales reduces the number of hours available for paid work.
Formula
Estimated required revenue = target income + expenses, adjusted for the tax rate. Billable hours = working weeks × work hours × billable percentage. Hourly rate = required revenue ÷ billable hours.
Use the result as a starting point
Pricing also depends on your market, experience, scope, client value and project risk. Use the calculator to understand the economics behind your minimum sustainable rate, then decide how to price a particular engagement.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good freelance hourly rate?
There is no single rate that fits every freelancer. Your costs, experience, specialty, market and client scope all matter.
Why include billable percentage?
Freelancers rarely bill every working hour. Including non-billable time produces a more realistic rate.