💰 Freelance Rate Calculator

Find your ideal hourly rate based on your income goals and expenses.

Hourly

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Daily (8h)

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Weekly

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Monthly

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💡 Tax Tip: Add 20–30% on top of these rates to cover self-employment taxes, depending on your country and tax bracket.

How to Calculate Your Freelance Rate

Setting the right freelance rate is crucial for sustaining your business. This calculator uses a simple formula:

  1. Start with your desired annual take-home income
  2. Add your business expenses (software, equipment, coworking space, insurance)
  3. Apply your profit margin to ensure business growth
  4. Divide by your available billable hours per year

The formula: Hourly Rate = (Income + Expenses) × (1 + Margin%) ÷ (Weeks × Hours)

Tips for Setting Your Freelance Rates

  • Don't forget non-billable time: Admin, marketing, and learning typically consume 20–40% of your week
  • Factor in benefits: Unlike employees, you pay for your own health insurance, retirement, and paid time off
  • Research market rates: Know what others in your field and experience level charge
  • Value-based pricing: For high-impact projects, consider pricing based on value delivered rather than hours spent

Why 48 Working Weeks?

Most freelancers take 4 weeks off per year (vacation + holidays + sick days). Using 48 weeks instead of 52 ensures you don't undercharge by assuming you'll work every single week.

Build a productive morning routine to maximize your billable hours — read our morning routine productivity guide.