Free Freelance Rate Calculator — What Hourly Rate Should You Charge?
A freelance rate calculator determines the minimum hourly rate needed to meet your income target after accounting for non-billable hours, self-employment taxes, business expenses, and desired profit margin. Most freelancers undercharge because they only consider gross income without factoring in the true cost of being self-employed.
How to use Freelance Rate Calculator
Enter your income target
Input your desired annual net income after taxes and expenses.
Set your working parameters
Enter billable hours per week, weeks worked per year, overhead expenses, and self-employment tax rate.
See your minimum rate
The calculator shows the minimum hourly rate, recommended rate with profit margin, and how your rate compares to employment equivalent.
Frequently asked questions
Rate = (Annual income target + Business expenses + Taxes) / Billable hours per year. If you want $80K net, spend $10K on expenses, pay 30% tax, and bill 1,000 hours/year: (80K + 10K + 39K) / 1,000 = $129/hour minimum.
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Further reading
Authority documentation and specifications behind this tool.
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