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Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Start from what you need to earn and work back to a rate, instead of picking a number that feels about right. The rate has to reach your income goal after you allow for costs, time off, and the hours you cannot bill. Fill in the fields and the calculator does the rest.
Rate calculator by profession
Each profession page starts with defaults for that field and pricing advice specific to it. Pick yours below.
Web Developer
Rates for freelance development.
Graphic Designer
Rates for freelance design & branding.
UX Designer
Rates for freelance product & UX work.
Copywriter
Rates for freelance writing & copy.
Marketing Consultant
Rates for freelance consulting & retainers.
SEO Consultant
Rates for freelance SEO work.
Social Media Manager
Rates for freelance social & content.
Photographer
Rates for freelance shoots & day rates.
Video Editor
Rates for freelance editing & post.
Illustrator
Rates for freelance illustration work.
Voice-Over Artist
Rates for freelance VO & narration.
Virtual Assistant
Rates for freelance VA services.
Translator
Rates for freelance translation work.
Bookkeeper
Rates for freelance bookkeeping.
Business Coach
Rates for freelance coaching packages.
WordPress Developer
Rates for freelance WordPress work.
Accountant
Rates for freelance accountant work.
Data Analyst
Rates for freelance data analyst work.
Transcriptionist
Rates for freelance transcriptionist work.
Podcast Editor
Rates for freelance podcast editor work.
Proofreader and Editor
Rates for freelance proofreader and editor work.
E-commerce Consultant
Rates for freelance e-commerce consultant work.
How the freelance rate calculation works
The maths is simple once you accept that not every working hour is billable. The calculator does three things:
- Revenue needed = target income + business expenses, plus your profit buffer. If you set a tax percentage, it grosses this up so the rate covers tax too.
- Billable hours per year = (52 − weeks off) × billable hours per week.
- Hourly rate = revenue needed ÷ billable hours per year.
A common mistake is to assume a 40-hour billable week. Sales calls, admin, invoicing, learning, and marketing take a large slice of the week, so most full-time independents bill somewhere between 20 and 30 hours. If you plug in 40, you will set your rate too low and end up working for less than you think.
Why the profit buffer matters
Freelance income is uneven. Clients put work on hold, projects slip, and some invoices arrive late. A rate with no buffer only works if the year goes perfectly. A buffer of 10–20% means you still reach your goal in a normal year, and it gives you a cushion in a slow month so you are less tempted to underprice out of fear.
Hourly rate, day rate, or project price
This tool gives you an hourly and day rate you can defend. Many freelancers keep that as an internal floor and quote clients a fixed project price instead, so the client pays for an outcome rather than for hours on a timesheet. Build those quotes with the project quote builder, and set aside the right amount for tax with the tax set-aside calculator.
Track where your hours go for a few weeks. Most people find they are billing fewer of them than they assumed. See our recommended time-tracking tools →
Frequently asked questions
How many billable hours should I assume?
Most full-time freelancers bill 20–30 hours a week. The rest of the week goes on admin, sales, and unpaid work. Start at 25 and adjust once you have tracked a few weeks of client work.
Should my target income be before or after tax?
Enter it before personal income tax. Then either use the "gross up for tax" field here, or set tax aside per invoice with the tax set-aside calculator.
Is this rate what I should charge every client?
Treat it as your floor. You can charge more for rush work, specialised expertise, or high-value outcomes, but you should rarely go below it.