Freelance hourly rate calculator

Work out what you actually need to charge, based on the income you want, the hours you can really bill, and the costs nobody warns you about. Free, no signup, and nothing you type leaves your browser.

Your minimum hourly rate

$121/hr

Based on 940 billable hours across 47 working weeks.

Day rate (8 hrs)

$968

Monthly revenue target

$9,423

How this is calculated

(Income goal + yearly expenses) ÷ (1 − tax rate) = gross revenue you need. Divide that by your real billable hours and you get the rate. Most people underprice because they divide by 40 hours a week and forget the unbillable half of running a business.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the calculator assume so few billable hours?+

Because running a freelance business eats time that nobody pays for: proposals, invoicing, email, marketing, and admin. Most full-time freelancers bill 15 to 25 hours in a 40-hour week. Dividing your income goal by 40 hours is the classic way to underprice.

Should I charge hourly or per project?+

Per project usually earns more once you are experienced, but you still need this number: a project quote is your estimated hours times a rate, plus a margin for risk. Knowing your floor rate keeps project pricing honest.

What tax percentage should I use?+

It depends on your country and bracket. In the US, self-employed people commonly set aside 25 to 30 percent for federal, state, and self-employment tax. When in doubt, ask an accountant and round up.

Is my data saved anywhere?+

No. The math runs entirely in your browser and nothing you type is sent to a server or stored.

Charging right is step one. Following up is step two.

ClientPlot tracks your clients, deadlines, and the follow-ups that win repeat work. Free plan, no card needed.