Freelancer Rate Calculator
Are you charging what you're worth? This calculator factors in your expenses, taxes, profit goals, and billable hours to tell you the minimum rate you should charge.
Freelancer Hourly Rate Calculator
Find the rate you need to hit your income goals
The 40% tax multiplier covers self employment tax (15.3%) and federal income tax (~22% bracket). Your actual rate may be lower or higher. Adjust expenses for your specific situation (software, equipment, insurance, marketing).
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my freelance rate?+
Take your target annual income, add business expenses, add self-employment and income taxes, divide by billable hours per year. Most freelancers underestimate by 30-50% because they forget taxes, expenses, and non-billable time. This calculator does the math for you.
How many billable hours do freelancers actually work?+
Most freelancers bill 20-25 hours per week out of a 40-hour work week. The rest goes to admin, marketing, invoicing, and business development. If you bill 40 hours, you're probably undercharging or working unsustainable hours.
Should I charge hourly or project-based?+
Hourly is simpler but caps your income. Project-based rewards efficiency. Most experienced freelancers switch to project-based or value-based pricing. This calculator gives you the hourly baseline you need to set profitable project rates.
How do I calculate my freelance rate?
Take your target annual income, add business expenses, add self-employment and income taxes, divide by billable hours per year. Most freelancers underestimate by 30-50% because they forget taxes, expenses, and non-billable time. This calculator does the math for you.
📖 Free guide
How to Set Your Freelance Hourly Rate: The Math That Actually Works in 2026
The salary divided by 2,080 method underpays you. The real formula adds your target income, business expenses, and self employment tax, then divides by realistic billable hours. This guide shows the full math, when to raise rates, and why project pricing usually beats hourly.
Read the full guide (13 min)Related Free Calculators
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