Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Find the hourly rate your freelance business needs—not a number copied from someone else. This free calculator works backward from your monthly income goal and makes room for expenses, taxes, savings and non-billable time.
Calculate with assumptions you can explain.
A sustainable rate must pay for more than the hours spent delivering client work. Freelancers also spend time on proposals, bookkeeping, marketing, learning and administration. Those hours reduce the capacity available to earn revenue.
- 01Enter the amount you want available for personal spending each month.
- 02Add recurring business costs such as software, insurance and equipment.
- 03Use realistic billable hours and working weeks—not your total working time.
- 04Choose a buffer for taxes, savings and unexpected gaps between projects.
Freelance hourly rate FAQ
How many billable hours should a freelancer use?
Use the hours you can consistently invoice after sales, admin and breaks. For many independent professionals, billable time is well below a 40-hour workweek.
Should taxes be included in my hourly rate?
Yes. The calculator uses a customizable buffer so your price can reserve money for taxes and savings. The right percentage depends on your country and situation.
Is this the rate I must charge every client?
No. Treat it as a sustainable floor for planning. Scope, urgency, risk, market demand and the value of the outcome can all change the final quote.