Guides › Freelancers and service businesses

Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator

The minimum hourly, day and project rate you need after tax, expenses and unpaid time, with every step shown

A client asks your rate and you say a number that sounds about right. Then the tax bill, the software subscriptions, the weeks you did not work and the hours spent on emails nobody paid for all come due, and the number turns out to have been too low.

This calculator works backward from what you want to take home. Enter your target take-home amount, business expenses, tax rate, weeks off, working hours, non-billable share and a buffer. It grosses up for tax, adds expenses and buffer, divides by your real billable hours, and gives you a minimum hourly rate, a day rate and a project rate for any number of hours, with every step shown so you can explain the number.

What you get

• `freelance-hourly-rate-calculator.html`: the complete calculator as one self-contained file (HTML, CSS and JavaScript inline), about 20 KB
• Built and tested in current Chromium at phone and desktop widths; should work in other current browsers
• A live result bar that stays in view while you scroll
• Step-by-step working shown under the result
• Day rate and project rate for any number of hours
• 17 currencies in the selector
• Print stylesheet: the Print button prints just the result
• "Copy summary" button for pasting into email, chat or a proposal
• Color theme controlled by CSS variables at the top of the file
• Start Here guide (PDF + EPUB): how to use it, how to embed it on your site with an iframe, how to change colors, and the limits

Who it is for

• Freelancers and contractors setting or reviewing their rates
• Designers, developers, writers, photographers and consultants
• Coaches and mentors who teach pricing
• Websites that offer a free rate calculator to attract clients

What it is not

• Not tax, legal or financial advice: the numbers are estimates from your inputs
• Not a guarantee of any result

Questions

Is the result a minimum?

Yes. It is the lowest rate that meets your inputs. Consider charging more for specialist work or short notice.

How is the hourly rate rounded?

Up to the next cent (the next whole yen for JPY). Day and project rates use that rounded rate.

What tax rate should I enter?

Your estimated effective rate on your business result, including social contributions. Ask an accountant if unsure.

Does it save my data or send it anywhere?

No. The file makes no network requests and uses no cookies or browser storage. Reloading the page clears every field.

Does it work offline?

Yes. Save the file to your computer and open it in any browser. No server, internet connection or installation is needed.

Can I change the colors and branding?

Yes. All colors are CSS custom properties at the top of the style block in the HTML file. Edit them and keep text contrast at 4.5:1 or better.

Can I put it on my own website?

Yes. Upload the file to your host and embed it with an iframe. The Start Here guide has the snippet and the settings that matter.

Can I share or resell the file?

No. You may use the calculator on your own websites and on client websites you build, and change it as you like; you may not sell it, give it away, or offer the file for download.

Is it an invoicing or accounting system?

No. Nothing is saved and nothing is sent, so use Copy summary or Print to keep a result.

Is it a hosted service?

No. You download one file and open it or upload it yourself.

Refunds: see the refund policy.