Freelance Rate Calculator
Work backwards from your monthly income goal to find the hourly, daily, and retainer rate you should be charging.
Build your rate
Adjust the details below to update your estimate.
Your recommended rate
Updates as you edit your inputs.
Guide & practical tipsHow to use this tool well, limits, and common questions
This calculator works backward from the income you actually want to take home, so the rate you charge covers your taxes, expenses, and unbillable time instead of just sounding about right.
How to use it
- 1
Enter your real income target
Start with the take-home pay you need each month, not a number that sounds impressive. Everything else builds on this.
- 2
Account for the hours you can actually bill
Set working days and billable hours per day honestly. Most freelancers bill far fewer hours than they work once admin, sales, and breaks are removed.
- 3
Layer in tax, expenses, and a buffer
Add your tax percentage, monthly business costs, and a profit buffer so the final rate reflects what you keep, not what you invoice.
Tips that make a difference
- Bill no more than 60 to 70 percent of your working hours. Selling, admin, and revisions eat the rest.
- Treat the "minimum safe rate" as a floor you walk away below, not a starting offer.
- Recalculate every time your expenses or income goal change, not once a year.
Frequently asked questions
How many billable hours should I assume?
For most solo freelancers, 4 to 6 billable hours a day is realistic. The rest of the working day goes to sales, admin, email, and breaks, which your rate still has to cover.
Should I include tax in my rate?
Yes. Your rate should be calculated so that after setting aside tax, you still hit your income target. This tool grosses your number up so the take-home figure is what you keep.
Why is my calculated rate higher than what others charge?
Public rates are often quoted before tax, expenses, and unbillable time. A rate that covers all three almost always looks higher than a number someone names casually online.