Freelance Rate Calculator
Most freelancers undercharge because they divide a salary by 2,080 hours and forget about taxes, time off, and all the unpaid hours spent on admin and finding clients. This free tool does the honest math: enter your target income and it shows the hourly and day rate you actually need to hit it.
"Billable hours/day" is key: a full-time freelancer rarely bills 8 hours — much of the day goes to admin, pitching, and breaks. 4–6 is realistic.
How to use your number
The hourly figure is your floor — the minimum to hit your goal. Quote per project (not hourly) wherever you can, using this rate to estimate, and move toward value-based pricing as you build proof. Full guide: how to price your freelance services.
Then win the work with a tight proposal, and land your first clients with this guide. To handle proposals, agreements, and getting paid, the Freelancer's Client Toolkit has every template done for you.