Include real costs
Add software, hardware, insurance, accounting, workspace, and payment processing expenses so the rate reflects the business, not only take-home pay.
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Determine how much you should charge to meet your financial goals and cover your business expenses.
How much you want to take home after business expenses.
Software, hardware, insurance, coworking, etc.
Your Minimum Hourly Rate
$55/hr
Total Target
$65,000
Annual Billable Hours
1200
Why use an hourly rate calculator?
Many freelancers make the mistake of simply picking a number that "sounds right" or matches what they earned at a previous job. However, as a freelancer, you are responsible for your own health insurance, taxes, equipment, and downtime (vacations and sick leave).
This calculator helps you reverse-engineer your rate by starting with your financial goals and working backwards through your actual billable capacity. Remember: Not every hour you work is billable! Most freelancers spend 20-40% of their time on administration, marketing, and learning.
Protect non-billable time
Freelancers still need time for sales, proposals, admin, learning, and support. A realistic billable-hours number prevents underpricing.
Review by project type
Use the calculated rate as a floor. Fixed-price projects, urgent work, and specialist tasks may need higher pricing.