Free calculator
What should I charge as a freelancer?
Turn the income you need into a rate you can defend — before the client asks for a discount.
Try the calculator
Pricing
How the rate floor is built
The calculator starts from the income you want to keep, adds your yearly business overhead, and grosses both up for the tax you set aside. It then divides that revenue by the hours you can actually invoice — not by a 2,000-hour year.
Why billable hours matter more than the rate
Admin, sales, invoicing and learning are real work but not billable. If you bill 25 hours in a 40-hour week, the rate has to carry the other 15. Dropping the billable number is the fastest way to underprice a retainer.
Who should use it
Independent designers, developers, writers and consultants who are setting a first rate or checking whether an existing one still clears their costs.
Frequently asked questions
Does the hourly rate include tax?
Yes. The revenue target is grossed up by the tax set-aside percentage, so the hourly and day rates already cover the tax you expect to owe.
What counts as overhead?
Software, insurance, hardware, accounting, coworking, payment fees and anything else the business pays before you pay yourself.
Should I enter 52 weeks?
No. Enter the weeks you are actually available to work after holidays, sick days and quiet periods. Most freelancers land between 44 and 48.