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Freelancer Rate Calculator

Work out the minimum hourly rate you need to charge as a freelancer or consultant to hit your monthly income target, based on your working days and hours per day.

Only billable hours, not total hours worked.

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Frequently asked questions

Quick answers before you start.

What is a good hourly rate for a freelancer?

It depends on your skill, experience, and niche. A better question is what you need to earn: divide your monthly income target by your billable hours. Junior freelancers often charge a modest rate, while specialists can charge a premium. Use the calculator to find your floor, then add 30–40% for experience.

How many hours should I count as billable?

Only the hours you directly spend on client work. Admin, proposals, emails, and rework are work but not billable. A common assumption is 5–6 billable hours per 8-hour working day.

Should I charge hourly or per project?

Per project once you can estimate reliably. Hourly punishes you for being fast. Use your hourly rate as the basis for a project quote, then quote the project as a fixed price based on estimated hours plus a buffer.

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