Freelance Rate Calculator
Work out the hourly rate you need to hit a target annual income.
New freelancers routinely undercharge because they set an hourly rate by gut feeling instead of working backward from what they need to earn. The catch is that not every hour is billable — admin, marketing and gaps between clients eat into the week — so your rate has to cover the unbillable time too.
Enter your target annual income, realistic billable hours per week, and the weeks you'll work per year, and this calculator gives the hourly rate you need to charge. Lower the billable hours or weeks to see how quickly the required rate climbs — a reality check that stops you underpricing.
How to use Freelance Rate Calculator
- 1
Enter your figures
Fill in the fields with your numbers.
- 2
Read the results
The calculation updates instantly.
- 3
Adjust to compare
Change any input to explore scenarios.
Features
- Instant calculation as you type
- Clear, itemized results
- Runs privately in your browser
Frequently asked questions
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering a percentage as a decimal (0.08) instead of a whole number (8).
- Comparing options on one metric alone instead of the full picture.
Get new tools in your inbox
One email a month with new tools, guides, and updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.