Freelancer rate calculator.
Find the hourly rate, day rate and monthly retainer that pays you what you want after costs and tax. Any currency. Free, private, no signup.
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Quick answer
Your minimum freelance hourly rate is your monthly income goal plus your work costs, with tax added on top, divided by the hours a client pays you for each month. Add a buffer for slow weeks and quote that number. Example: a $2,000 goal, $290 in costs, 20 percent tax and 25 billable hours a week with 4 weeks off gives a minimum of $28.63 an hour.
How the calculator works
- It adds your income goal and monthly costs.
- It adds tax on top, so the tax you set aside does not come out of your pay.
- It finds your billable hours a month: hours per week times the weeks you work, divided by 12.
- Your minimum rate is the total divided by those hours. Your suggested rate adds your buffer and rounds up.
Questions people ask
How do I work out my freelance hourly rate?
Add your monthly pay goal and your work costs. Add tax on top. Then divide by the hours a client will pay you for in a month. That is your minimum. Add a buffer for slow weeks and quote that number.
Why add a buffer to my rate?
Not every week is full. Projects end, clients pay late, and admin, sales and learning take time nobody pays for. A buffer keeps one quiet week from breaking your month. Pick the size that fits your work.
Does it work in my currency?
Yes. Pick USD, PHP, EUR, GBP, AUD or CAD, or choose Other and type any currency code. The math is the same in every currency.
Are my numbers saved or sent anywhere?
Your numbers stay in your browser on this device so they are there next time. Nothing is sent to Plainsort. Tap Reset to clear them.