💼 BusinessFreelance Rate Calculator

Freelance Rate Calculator

Work out the hourly rate you need to charge to hit your target income.

UPDATED · MAY 2026
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Charge at least
$93/hr
DAY RATE$744
BILLABLE HRS/YR1,150
Hourly
$93
Day rate
$744
Revenue needed
$107,000
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How to use the Freelance Rate Calculator

  1. 01
    Set your target income. The take-home pay you want for the year.
  2. 02
    Add business expenses. Software, taxes set aside, insurance, equipment.
  3. 03
    Enter billable hours. Realistic billable hours per week and weeks worked.

How is it calculated?

Your required revenue is target income plus business expenses. Divide that by your billable hours per year (billable hours/week × weeks worked) to get the minimum hourly rate. The key insight: only a fraction of working hours are billable, so your rate must cover the unbillable time too.

Frequently asked

The questions readers ask most about the freelance rate calculator.

You cover your own taxes, benefits, unpaid admin time, gaps between clients, and business expenses — so the rate must be well above an equivalent salaried hourly wage.