Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator

Use this calculator to estimate the minimum hourly rate you should charge based on your target monthly income, business costs, and realistic billable hours.

If you freelance, consult, or do client work, this gives you a practical baseline before you layer on profit margin, niche positioning, rush fees, or premium pricing.

How to use this result

Treat the result as your floor, not your final market rate.

• If demand is strong, charge above this number to create margin.
• If your niche is specialized, add a premium for expertise and speed.
• If your billable hours are optimistic, lower them and recalculate.
• Remember that admin, sales, and revisions often reduce real billable time.

FAQ

How many billable hours should a freelancer assume?
Many freelancers overestimate billable time. A safer starting point is often 60–100 billable hours per month depending on sales effort, client management, and project complexity.

Does this include taxes?
No. This is a pricing baseline for income and business costs. If you need tax coverage or extra profit, increase the result.

Should I charge exactly this hourly rate?
Usually not. This number helps you avoid underpricing. Your actual rate should also reflect positioning, urgency, experience, and market demand.