Finance
Freelance Rate Calculator
Find the hourly rate a freelancer needs to hit a target income after expenses and time off.
Formula
Required hourly rate equals target income plus expenses, divided by billable hours.
How it works
Only billable hours count — admin, marketing, and downtime are unpaid, so using total working hours would underprice you. Raise the target to cover taxes and a buffer.
FAQs
Why not use 2,000 hours?
Freelancers rarely bill every working hour; 1,000–1,200 billable hours is common.
Should tax be in the target?
Yes — set the target as the after-tax income you need, then add tax on top, or include it in expenses.
What if work is project-based?
Multiply the hourly rate by estimated project hours to quote the project.
Are these figures financial advice?
No — they are estimates for planning only, not financial advice. Check with a qualified adviser for decisions involving large sums.
Estimates only, not financial advice. Figures are approximate and do not include all fees, taxes, or changing rates unless stated.