Free tool
Freelance Rate Calculator
Most freelancers guess their rate — and undercharge for years. This calculator works backwards from the income you actually want to take home, accounting for the weeks you take off, the hours that never get billed, your expenses, and taxes. In ten seconds you'll have a defensible hourly and day rate.
Frequently asked
- How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
- Start from the annual income you want to take home, add your business expenses, then divide by the hours you can actually bill in a year — not 2,080. After subtracting weeks off and non-billable admin time, most full-time freelancers bill 1,000–1,400 hours a year. Divide your target (grossed up for tax) by that number to get an honest hourly rate.
- Why is my freelance rate so much higher than a salary?
- As a freelancer you cover taxes, unpaid time off, sick days, software, hardware, and admin time yourself — costs an employer normally absorbs. A rate that looks high next to an hourly salary is usually just breaking even once those are priced in.
- What is a good profit margin for a freelancer?
- Anything above covering your costs is profit. A 10–20% margin on top of your break-even rate gives you room to reinvest, ride out slow months, and raise your income over time rather than just paying the bills.
- Should I charge hourly or a fixed project rate?
- Use this hourly number as your floor. When you quote a fixed project price, estimate the hours honestly and multiply by this rate so a flat fee never quietly pays you less than billing by the hour would.
Now put that rate to work.
Frelo turns your rate into invoices, tracks the income against it, and shows you whether you're actually hitting your number — all from one link.