Freelance guide
Freelance Rate Calculator Guide
A strong freelance rate covers more than the hours spent doing client work.
The basic formula
Annual revenue needed equals desired take-home income plus business expenses plus tax planning buffer. Hourly rate equals annual revenue needed divided by annual billable hours.
What to include
Billable hours: subtract sales, admin, learning, support, sick days, holidays, and unpaid proposal time.
Expenses: include software, hardware, accounting, banking fees, workspace, insurance, marketing, and professional development.
Taxes: self-employed workers may need to plan for income tax and self-employment or social insurance obligations depending on location.
Use the calculator
Model a conservative rate first, then test a growth target and compare the difference.
Open Freelance Rate Calculator