Freelance Rate Calculator 2025

Calculate your ideal hourly rate based on income goals, expenses, and market data. Stop undercharging—know your worth.

Free Forever
Industry Benchmarks
Tax Inclusive
Income Goals
What do you want to take home after taxes and expenses?
$60,000
$0$300,000+

This is your desired personal income (like a salary), not your business revenue.

Software subscriptions, internet, office space, equipment, marketing, accounting, etc.

30h

Only count client work time, not admin, sales, or marketing.

4w

Vacation, holidays, sick days, and personal time.

Why Use a Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator?

Most freelancers undercharge by 30-50% because they forget critical costs. This calculator accounts for:

  • Non-billable hours – Marketing, admin, invoicing typically consume 25% of your time
  • Self-employment taxes – An additional 15.3% on top of income tax
  • Business expenses – Software, equipment, insurance, office costs
  • Benefits – Health insurance, retirement, paid time off you'd get as an employee
  • Industry standards – Web developers command higher rates than writers
  • Experience premiums – Senior freelancers earn 2-3x more than beginners

To earn $60,000 take-home, you can't charge $30/hour. You need $50-75/hour depending on your situation.

Your Minimum Hourly Rate
$0/hr
Competitive market rate
Monthly Revenue Goal$0
Annual Revenue Target$0
Day Rate (8 hours)$0
40-Hour Project$0

Pro Tip: This is your minimum sustainable rate. Consider charging 20-30% more for rush jobs, specialized expertise, or clients with bigger budgets.

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Industry Insights 2025
Avg. Web Developer$75-150/hr
Avg. Designer$60-120/hr
Avg. Writer$50-100/hr
Avg. Consultant$100-200/hr

How to Use This Freelance Rate Calculator

Step 1: Enter Your Income Goal

Start with your desired take-home income – what you want to earn after all taxes and expenses. Be realistic but ambitious. Research average salaries for your profession in your region.

Step 2: Calculate Business Expenses

Add up monthly costs like software subscriptions (Adobe, Figma, Slack), internet, phone, coworking space, equipment, insurance, accounting services, and marketing. Most freelancers underestimate this at $200-300 when it's actually $500-1000.

Step 3: Be Honest About Billable Hours

Only count hours spent on actual client work. Don't include time spent on proposals, invoicing, social media, learning, or meetings. A full-time freelancer typically bills 25-30 hours per week, not 40.

Step 4: Factor in Time Off

Unlike employees, freelancers don't get paid vacation. Account for holidays, sick days, and personal time. Most freelancers should budget 4-6 weeks off per year minimum for sustainability.

Step 5: Use Advanced Options for Precision

Switch to the Advanced tab to include tax rates (typically 25-35% for freelancers including self-employment tax), health insurance ($300-600/month), retirement savings, and your profit margin for business growth.

Common Freelance Pricing Mistakes

  • Forgetting about self-employment tax (15.3% on top of income tax)
  • Not accounting for unpaid admin time (proposals, invoicing, emails)
  • Underestimating business expenses and tools
  • Comparing to employee salaries without adding benefits value
  • Setting rates based on what you think clients will pay instead of your needs
  • Not adjusting rates as you gain experience and expertise

When to Charge More Than Your Minimum Rate

Your calculated rate is the minimum to sustain your business. Charge premium rates for: rush projects (add 25-50%), specialized skills, enterprise clients with bigger budgets, long-term retainers (stable income premium), and when demand for your services is high.