Free Calculator
Freelance Rate Calculator
Use this free freelance rate calculator to estimate your hourly rate, day rate, and monthly retainer pricing based on your income goal, business expenses, taxes, billable hours, and profit margin.
How to calculate your freelance rate
A sustainable freelance rate should cover your personal income goal, business expenses, taxes, non-billable time, and a profit buffer. Many freelancers undercharge because they only divide their desired salary by full-time working hours, without accounting for admin work, sales calls, revisions, unpaid time, and vacation.
Hourly rate vs project pricing
Your hourly rate is a useful baseline, but many freelancers earn more by pricing projects based on value, complexity, timeline, and client expectations. Use your calculated hourly rate as the floor, then adjust your project quote based on scope and business impact.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good hourly rate for freelancers?
A good freelance hourly rate depends on your skill, niche, location, client type, expenses, and billable hours. The right rate is one that allows you to stay profitable without relying on unrealistic working hours.
How many billable hours do freelancers really have?
Many freelancers cannot bill 40 hours per week because they also spend time on sales, admin, communication, revisions, marketing, and learning. A realistic range is often 20 to 30 billable hours per week.
Should I charge hourly or per project?
Hourly pricing is simple and transparent, but project pricing can be better when the scope is clear and the client cares about outcomes more than time spent.