Freelance Rate Calculator

Know your worth. Charge with confidence.

Set your freelance rate based on real numbers — not random guesses. This simple calculator helps you figure out exactly how much you should charge per hour to hit your income goals, cover your expenses, and still sleep at night.

Try the calculator now →

Freelance Rate Calculator

Here's how much you should charge houly.

Your desired annual pre-tax income

Working days available for client work

Actual hours spent on client work daily

Administration, training, etc.

Software, insurance, taxes, etc.

Recommended: 30-50% for sustainability

Your required hourly rate:

$0.00

Based on 40% profit margin

Separator

Table of Contents

Why Use This Freelance Rate Calculator?

Let’s be honest — most freelancers either undercharge or overthink.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying:

  • “I have no idea what to charge.”
  • “This client’s budget sounds too low, but I don’t want to lose them.”
  • “How do others figure this stuff out?”

You’re not alone.
This calculator is built to solve that confusion once and for all. Just plug in a few details and get a clear number — your ideal hourly rate.

How It Works

This tool considers:

  • Your desired income
  • Your estimated expenses
  • Your billable hours per week
  • The number of weeks you want to work each year

And calculates a minimum hourly rate that covers:

  • Your living costs
  • Your business tools & subscriptions
  • Sick leaves, vacations, and downtime
  • And profit — because you deserve it

You’ll get:

  • Minimum hourly rate
  • Suggested buffer rate
  • Ideal project pricing guidance

Use It Like This

Enter your numbers below. Don’t overthink it — just use ballpark figures if needed.

Then hit “Calculate” and let the math do its thing.
If you’re not sure about any value, hover or tap the question mark for a hint.

Not Happy with the Rate?

That’s okay. Use the result as a starting point — not a final price tag.
Charge based on value, scope, and client budget, too.

This tool simply tells you the bare minimum you need to survive and thrive.
So you don’t end up working 60-hour weeks and still falling behind

Pro Tips

  • Add a 20–30% buffer to your base rate for taxes, unpredictables, and growth
  • Don’t just sell hours — package your services when possible
  • Revisit this calculator every 6–12 months to adjust with your lifestyle

Need help pricing your services, creating proposals, or building client-ready packages?

Let’s talk — I offer personalized audits, pricing strategy, and business coaching for freelancers like you.

Built by Gaurav Tiwari — Developer, Educator, Creator. Helping over 800 freelancers and businesses grow with clarity and confidence.