Calculate
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Estimate a freelance hourly rate from income goals and workable hours.
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Last reviewed: 2026-11-09. Methodology: formulas use your inputs only — no hidden fees or market data APIs. Results are estimates for planning, not professional advice.
Basic
What it is & how to use it
A planning tool that divides a target income by realistic billable weeks and hours so freelancers set rates that fund non-billable time.
How to use the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
1) Enter target annual (or period) income.
2) Enter working weeks and billable hours per week.
3) Read the implied hourly rate.
4) Add buffer for tax, tools and unpaid admin if not already in the income goal.
Intermediate
Formula & worked example
Hourly rate ≈ Target income ÷ (weeks × billable hours).
Example: $80,000 ÷ (48 × 30) ≈ $55.56/hour.
Using calendar weeks without leave will underprice you.
Advanced
Interpretation, edge cases & next steps
Billable hours are lower than hours awake at a desk.
Advanced: revisit after tax and benefits; compare project pricing with margin/markup tools; raise rates when utilization is healthy.
Planning only — not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is this after tax?
Treat outputs as planning figures — adjust for your tax situation separately.
Should I use 52 weeks?
Usually no — subtract holidays, sick time and sales time.
Fixed-price projects?
Estimate hours honestly, then compare to this rate floor.
Part-time freelancing?
Lower weeks/hours inputs accordingly.
Currency?
Use one currency consistently.
Deep guide
Read the full guide
Longer teaching, worked scenarios and mistakes — then jump back into this tool with example numbers.