Free Tool for Freelancers

Freelance Rate Calculator

Calculate your ideal hourly, daily, and project rates based on your income goals, expenses, and availability. Stop undercharging.

Income Goals
What do you want to earn as a freelancer?
$80,000
$30K$300K
$500

Software, hosting, equipment, insurance, etc.

20%

Buffer for taxes, savings, and growth

Time & Availability
How much time can you actually bill?
40 hrs
60%

Rest goes to admin, marketing, learning

3 weeks

Include holidays and sick days

Your Recommended Rates

Your Hourly Rate

$88

per billable hour

$703

Day Rate

$2,107

Weekly

$8,600

Monthly

Project Rate Guide
Suggested flat rates based on project size

Small Project

~10 hours

$878

Medium Project

~1 week

$3,511

Large Project

~1 month

$14,041
Calculation Breakdown
Working weeks/year49 weeks
Billable hours/week24 hrs
Total billable hours/year1,176 hrs
Annual revenue target$103,200
Track Your Rates

Quidbill helps you invoice at these rates and track what you actually earn per project. Stop guessing, start growing.

  • Create invoices in 30 seconds
  • Track time per project automatically
  • See your real effective hourly rate
Start Free Trial

$29/month • 30-day refund guarantee

How to Calculate Your Freelance Rate

Start With Income Goals

Consider what you'd earn as an employee, then add for benefits you need to cover yourself.

Be Realistic About Time

Not all hours are billable. Account for admin, marketing, and learning time.

Build in Margin

Add 15-25% for taxes, savings, equipment upgrades, and dry spells between projects.

Why Most Freelancers Undercharge

The biggest mistake new freelancers make is calculating their rate based on what they earned as employees. But freelancing has hidden costs:

  • Self-employment taxes - You pay both employer and employee portions (~15% extra in the US)
  • No benefits - Health insurance, retirement, paid time off come out of your rate
  • Unbillable time - Marketing, admin, invoicing, learning take 30-50% of your time
  • Business expenses - Software, equipment, office space, professional development
  • Income instability - You need reserves for slow months and gaps between clients

Hourly vs. Project Rates

While hourly rates are simple, consider project-based pricing as you gain experience:

  • Hourly - Good when scope is unclear or ongoing
  • Project-based - Better for defined deliverables, rewards efficiency
  • Value-based - Price based on outcome value, not time spent

Whatever pricing model you use, knowing your minimum hourly rate ensures you never work at a loss.

When to Raise Your Rates

Consider raising rates when:

  • You're fully booked and turning down work
  • You've gained new skills or certifications
  • Your results consistently exceed expectations
  • It's been more than a year since your last increase
  • Inflation has eroded your purchasing power

Now Put Your Rates to Work

Knowing your rate is step one. Quidbill helps you invoice clients professionally and get paid faster so you can focus on the work.

Create Your First Invoice Free Invoice Generator