Freelance Day Rate Calculator
Calculate what an eight-hour freelance day needs to cost after business expenses, unpaid time and a tax buffer. Use it for workshops, on-site work and projects sold by the day.
Calculate with assumptions you can explain.
A day rate is convenient when a client reserves a meaningful block of your capacity. It should still cover sales, administration, tools, time off and the risk that a booked day prevents other work.
- 01Enter the personal income the business should provide each month.
- 02Add every recurring operating cost and an equipment reserve.
- 03Use realistic billable capacity after non-client work and time off.
- 04Round the result into a clear day rate and define the number of included hours.
Freelance day rate FAQ
How many hours should a freelance day rate include?
Define it explicitly. This calculator uses eight hours, but your agreement can use a shorter production day and charge overtime separately.
Should a day rate be eight times my hourly rate?
It is a useful baseline. Travel, exclusivity, on-site requirements, short notice or a long commitment may justify a different price.
Can I offer half-day pricing?
Yes, but half days often consume more than half your availability. Many freelancers price them above exactly 50% of a full day.