Finance
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Free freelance rate calculator — find the sustainable hourly rate that covers your target take-home, business expenses, taxes, and realistic billable hours.
Required revenue
$88000.00
Pre-tax
Billable hours / year
1,200
Your hourly rate
$73.33
How to use Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
- Enter desired annual take-home.
- Add business expenses and tax rate.
- Set billable hours per week and working weeks.
- Get your target hourly rate.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my freelance rate higher than an employee's hourly?
Freelancers cover benefits, taxes, downtime, tools, and unbillable admin. Rates 2–3× the employee-equivalent are normal and sustainable.
How many hours per week can I really bill?
20–25 billable hours per week is realistic for solo freelancers — the rest is admin, sales, and learning.
Should I raise my freelance rate?
If you are booked 3+ months out or turning down work, raise it 10–20%. Underpricing burns you out faster than any deadline.