Free rate calculator for freelancers
Freelance rate calculator
Plug in a pay goal, costs, and hours. Get a rate that actually makes sense.
Rough numbers are OK — aim for honest, not perfect.
Money for you — not your full business income before costs.
Tools, apps, helpers, insurance — what the business pays each month.
Many people bill about 20–28 hours a week after email and sales. Over 30 is uncommon.
Vacation, holidays, sick days — weeks you do not work.
Added on top of your pay and costs so you are not living at zero slack.
Use the form on the left, then click Calculate my rates to generate niche context and your numbers.
Ready when you are
Add your pay goal, hours, and costs on the left, then press Calculate my rates to generate your niche comparison and goal-based pricing.
Turn your rate into clear proposals
Jolix helps you track clients, send proposals and invoices, and stay organized in one place. When your rate is right, good tools help you show it with confidence.
How to figure out your freelance rate
Your hourly rate ties three things together: the pay you want, what it costs to run your business, and the hours clients actually pay for. Billable hours are only part of your week. The rest is sales, email, and admin.
This tool starts with your pay goal. It adds monthly costs and a buffer. Then it splits the total across honest billable hours after time off.
Why people charge too little
Many people copy job salaries or guess hours. If your rate only works when every week is full, one slow month hurts. Build in margin and real hours so your price still works when work is light.
What counts as billable time
Billable time is work you charge for: focus time, paid meetings, and scoped edits. It usually does not include free advice, long learning time, or scope that grows for free. When in doubt, estimate a little low on hours so your rate stays safe.
Hourly vs project pricing
Hourly fits when the work shifts. Project pricing fits when the outcome is clear. Either way, knowing your hourly target helps you avoid project quotes that pay too little.
How costs change your rate
Tools, helpers, gear, and fees are part of earning money. If you skip them, your rate looks fine on paper but feels tight in real life. Add monthly costs here so the math matches your bills.
How experience changes price
Clients pay more when you work faster and ship with less risk. That is why rates often go up with experience. The benchmark bands in this tool shift by level so you can see how your number compares.
Common pricing mistakes
- Using 40 billable hours a week without time for sales and admin.
- Copying someone else’s rate instead of using your costs and goals.
- Letting extra work slide for free until your margin is gone.
- Dropping your rate to win a job without cutting what you deliver.
Want a wider check on your business? Try the Freelance Business Check after you set your rate.