Free tool · no signup
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
A free freelance hourly rate calculator that works out the minimum you need to charge — from your target income, the hours you can actually bill, and your annual business costs.
01 — FREE TOOL
What should you actually charge per hour?
Work backwards from the life you want. Fill in four numbers — the rate updates as you type.
No signup, no email. The maths runs entirely in your browser — nothing is saved or sent.
Your minimum hourly rate
£ 96 /hr
- You need to earn
- £51,000
- Billable hours / year
- 1,150
- Roughly per day
- £480
This is the simplified version. My Rate Card templates handle tiered packages, multiple currencies and real profit margins — plus tax set-aside, so the number you charge is the number that keeps you in business.
More free tools: Self-Employed Tax Calculator · Project Quote Calculator
FAQ
Freelance hourly rate FAQs
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How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
- Work backwards from the income you want. Add your annual business costs to your target take-home, then divide by the hours you can realistically bill in a year (billable hours per week × weeks worked). That gives the minimum hourly rate that covers your goals.
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How many billable hours can I realistically work?
- Most full-time freelancers bill 20–30 hours a week, not 40 — the rest goes on admin, marketing, quoting and unpaid work. Be honest about this number, because overestimating it is the quickest way to underprice yourself.
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Should I charge more than this minimum rate?
- Yes. The calculator shows the floor that covers your costs and target income. Add a margin on top for profit, quiet months, tax and the premium your experience commands — your quoted rate should sit comfortably above the minimum.