Freelance rate calculator

    Most freelancers price by feel and end up below what they need. This works backwards from the life you want to fund — after expenses, after tax, and using billable hours that are actually achievable.

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    Your numbers

    Results update as you type.

    Cost of living plus what you want to save.

    Software, hardware, insurance, accountant, coworking, courses.

    Most freelancers bill 20–25, not 40.

    Holiday, sickness, public holidays.

    Self-employment plus income tax. 25–35% is typical — check your own jurisdiction.

    Your floor

    $110 /hour

    $881 day rate

    This is the floor, not the target. Below it you are funding the client out of your own savings. Price projects on the value of the outcome, and use this number to check you never go under.

    The maths

    Gross revenue you need
    $111,429

    ($70,000 take-home + $8,000 expenses) ÷ 0.7

    Billable hours a year
    1,012 hrs

    22 billable hours × 46 working weeks

    Your hourly floor
    $110/hr

    $111,429 ÷ 1,012 hours

    Day rate (8 hours)
    $881/day

    Hourly floor × 8

    Weekly revenue target
    $2,422/wk

    Hourly floor × 22 billable hours

    Typical 40-hour project
    $4,404

    Hourly floor × 40 — quote at or above this, never below

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