Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
The rate you must charge to hit your income goal
Going freelance or raising your rates? Enter your income goal, business costs and realistic billable hours to find the hourly rate that actually gets you there.
Why your rate must be higher than you think
Freelancers don't bill 40 hours a week — admin, marketing and downtime eat into it, so 20–30 billable hours is realistic. You also cover your own expenses and taxes. This calculator works backward from your take-home goal plus business costs to the rate you need. Remember to add a buffer for self-employment taxes (see the SE tax calculator).
Frequently asked questions
How do I figure out my freelance rate?
Add your income goal and business expenses, then divide by your realistic yearly billable hours. Add a margin for taxes.
How many hours can a freelancer bill?
Usually 20–30 of a 40-hour week; the rest goes to admin, sales and unpaid work.