Calculate your ideal freelance hourly rate, daily rate, and monthly income. Free freelance rate calculator with formula, examples, and FAQ.
Setting the right freelance rate is crucial for business sustainability. Unlike salaried employees, freelancers must account for non-billable hours, self-employment taxes, health insurance, retirement savings, and business expenses. The freelance rate calculator helps you determine a rate that meets your income goals based on actual billable hours.
Hourly Rate = Desired Annual Income / (Billable Hours Per Week × Weeks Per Year) | Daily Rate = Hourly Rate × 8 | Monthly Income = Hourly Rate × Billable Hours × 4The key insight is that not all working hours are billable — freelancers typically spend 20-40% of time on marketing, admin, and professional development. The calculator uses your actual billable hours to determine what you must charge per hour to reach your income target.
| Input | Output |
|---|---|
| Desired Income: $80,000, 30 billable hrs/week, 48 weeks | Hourly: $55.56, Daily: $444.44, Monthly: $6,666.67 |
| Desired Income: $120,000, 35 billable hrs/week, 48 weeks | Hourly: $71.43, Daily: $571.43, Monthly: $10,000 |
| Desired Income: $60,000, 25 billable hrs/week, 46 weeks | Hourly: $52.17, Daily: $417.39, Monthly: $5,217.39 |