Freelance Rate Calculator | Find Your Ideal Hourly Rate
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Freelance Rate Calculator Enter your income goals and working hours to find the minimum hourly rate you need to charge — and the recommended rate that builds in profit and sustainability. Your Income Goals Target Annual Income ($) Billable Hours per Week: 30 hrs 20 40 Only count hours you can actually bill to clients Weeks Worked per Year: 48 wks 40 52 Subtract vacation, sick days, and holidays Annual Business Expenses ($) Software, equipment, insurance, marketing, accounting, etc. Self-Employment Tax Rate: 25% 10% 35% Includes SE tax (~15%) + federal/state income tax Profit Margin: 15% 0% 30% Buffer for business growth, slow months, reinvestment Your Freelance Rate Rate Comparison by Income Target Based on your current hours/weeks/tax settings. Your closest bracket is highlighted. Income Target Min. Rate Recommended Rate Annual Revenue Needed What You Actually Keep Pricing Strategy Never Quote Hourly — Show Project-Based Pricing Project prices based on your recommended rate. Always quote scope, not time. How to Use This Calculator Enter your target annual income — the amount you want to take home after taxes. Set your billable hours — be realistic. Most freelancers bill 25–35 hours per week; the rest goes to admin, marketing, and client management. Adjust weeks worked — subtract vacation, holidays, and sick days. Working 48 weeks is typical. Add your business expenses — software subscriptions, equipment, insurance, professional development, and accounting fees all count. Set your tax rate — self-employment tax is ~15.3% plus federal/state income tax. 25–30% total is a safe estimate for most freelancers. Choose a profit margin — this buffer protects you during slow months and funds business growth. The minimum rate keeps you afloat. The recommended rate is what you should actually charge. ...
