Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator (with Tax and Time Off)
Work out the minimum hourly rate you need from your take-home pay, tax, expenses and time off. Free, private, no sign-up.
- Day rate (8 billable hours)
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- Revenue needed per month
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- Revenue needed per year
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- Billable hours per year
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- Estimated tax per year
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How this rate is worked out
Your take-home pay is grossed up for tax, business expenses are added, and the total is divided by the hours you can bill: (take-home ÷ (1 − tax rate) + expenses) ÷ billable hours.
How many hours can I bill?
Fewer than you work. Admin, emailing, pitching and gaps between projects go unpaid, so many freelancers plan around 20 to 30 billable hours a week rather than 40. Lower the hours above and watch the rate climb.
Is this the rate I should quote?
Treat it as a floor: the rate below which you lose money. Quote above it to leave room for discounts, late payers and slow months.
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