How do I set my freelance hourly rate?

Divide your desired annual income plus overhead by billable hours per year. Account for unpaid time (admin, marketing, downtime). Most freelancers bill 25–30 hours per week despite working 40+.

Freelance Rate Calculator

Estimate a freelance hourly rate from income goals and billable hours.

This tool runs in your browser. None of your data is saved or sold.

Annual income goal ($)

Billable hours per week (hours)

Weeks worked per year (weeks)

Annual overhead / expenses ($)

About This Calculator

Freelancers often underprice their work because they forget to account for self-employment tax (~15%), health insurance, retirement savings, unpaid administrative time, and business overhead. This calculator builds all of that in to give you a rate that actually meets your income goal.

Estimates only — not financial, tax, legal, or investment advice. Verify important results with a qualified professional before making decisions.

annual billable hours = billable hours/week × weeks/year; required gross revenue = income goal + overhead; recommended hourly rate = required gross revenue ÷ annual billable hours