.drh-calculator-container {
max-width: 600px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 25px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 8px;
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.drh-calculator-container h3 {
text-align: center;
color: #333;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.drh-input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.drh-input-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 5px;
font-weight: 600;
color: #555;
}
.drh-input-group input {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.drh-input-group input:focus {
border-color: #0073aa;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(0,115,170,0.2);
}
.drh-btn {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
background-color: #0073aa;
color: white;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
}
.drh-btn:hover {
background-color: #005177;
}
.drh-results {
margin-top: 25px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #ffffff;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 4px;
display: none;
}
.drh-result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
margin-bottom: 10px;
padding-bottom: 10px;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}
.drh-result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
margin-bottom: 0;
padding-bottom: 0;
}
.drh-result-label {
color: #666;
}
.drh-result-value {
font-weight: bold;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.drh-highlight {
color: #0073aa;
font-size: 1.2em;
}
.drh-error {
color: #dc3232;
text-align: center;
margin-top: 10px;
display: none;
}
/* Article Styles */
.drh-article-container {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 40px auto;
font-family: inherit;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.drh-article-container h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #0073aa;
padding-bottom: 10px;
display: inline-block;
}
.drh-article-container p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.drh-article-container ul {
margin-bottom: 20px;
padding-left: 20px;
}
.drh-article-container li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
function calculateRates() {
var dayRateInput = document.getElementById('drh-dayRate');
var hoursPerDayInput = document.getElementById('drh-hoursPerDay');
var daysPerWeekInput = document.getElementById('drh-daysPerWeek');
var weeksPerYearInput = document.getElementById('drh-weeksPerYear');
var resultBox = document.getElementById('drh-resultBox');
var errorBox = document.getElementById('drh-errorBox');
// Parse inputs
var dayRate = parseFloat(dayRateInput.value);
var hoursPerDay = parseFloat(hoursPerDayInput.value);
var daysPerWeek = parseFloat(daysPerWeekInput.value);
var weeksPerYear = parseFloat(weeksPerYearInput.value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(dayRate) || dayRate <= 0) {
showError("Please enter a valid day rate.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(hoursPerDay) || hoursPerDay <= 0) {
showError("Please enter valid hours worked per day.");
return;
}
if (isNaN(daysPerWeek) || daysPerWeek <= 0) {
daysPerWeek = 5; // Default fallback if empty
}
if (isNaN(weeksPerYear) || weeksPerYear <= 0) {
weeksPerYear = 48; // Default fallback (allowing for holidays)
}
// Calculations
var hourlyRate = dayRate / hoursPerDay;
var weeklyIncome = dayRate * daysPerWeek;
var yearlyIncome = weeklyIncome * weeksPerYear;
var monthlyIncome = yearlyIncome / 12;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('drh-res-hourly').textContent = formatCurrency(hourlyRate);
document.getElementById('drh-res-weekly').textContent = formatCurrency(weeklyIncome);
document.getElementById('drh-res-monthly').textContent = formatCurrency(monthlyIncome);
document.getElementById('drh-res-yearly').textContent = formatCurrency(yearlyIncome);
document.getElementById('drh-res-stats').textContent = daysPerWeek + " days/week, " + weeksPerYear + " weeks/year";
errorBox.style.display = "none";
resultBox.style.display = "block";
}
function showError(msg) {
var errorBox = document.getElementById('drh-errorBox');
var resultBox = document.getElementById('drh-resultBox');
errorBox.textContent = msg;
errorBox.style.display = "block";
resultBox.style.display = "none";
}
function formatCurrency(num) {
return "$" + num.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
}
Understanding the Day Rate to Hourly Rate Calculation
Whether you are a freelancer, a contractor, or a consultant, knowing how to convert your day rate into an hourly figure is crucial for financial planning and negotiation. While a flat day rate often simplifies billing for clients, understanding the underlying hourly breakdown helps ensure you are not undercharging for your time.
The Day Rate to Hourly Rate Calculator above allows you to quickly determine your equivalent earnings across different timeframes based on your daily fee and workload.
How to Convert Day Rate to Hourly Rate
The math behind converting a daily rate to an hourly rate is straightforward, but it relies heavily on the number of billable hours you work in a single day.
The Core Formula:
Hourly Rate = Day Rate / Hours Worked Per Day
For example, if you charge $500 per day and work a standard 8-hour day:
- $500 / 8 = $62.50 per hour
However, if your "day" actually involves 10 hours of work including commute or administrative tasks, your effective hourly rate drops:
- $500 / 10 = $50.00 per hour
Why Freelancers Should Calculate Their Hourly Rate
Even if you bill by the day, knowing your hourly rate is essential for several reasons:
- Scope Creep Protection: If a client books you for a day but expects 12 hours of work, knowing your base hourly rate helps you justify overtime charges.
- Comparison with Salaried Roles: To compare a freelance day rate with a full-time salary, you must account for unpaid holidays, sick leave, and business expenses.
- Project Estimation: Small tasks often don't warrant a full day rate. Knowing your hourly worth allows you to quote accurately for smaller jobs.
Accounting for Unbillable Time
When using this calculator, it is important to remember that as a contractor, you are rarely paid for 52 weeks a year. Standard full-time employees get paid holidays and sick leave. Contractors do not.
To get a realistic yearly estimate, we recommend setting the "Weeks Worked Per Year" to 48 weeks or even 46 weeks. This buffers for:
- Public holidays
- Personal vacation time
- Sick days
- Time spent finding new clients (unbillable hours)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a standard number of hours for a day rate?
In most corporate environments, a standard working day is considered 7.5 to 8 hours. However, in industries like film, production, or events, a "day" can often mean 10 or 12 hours. Always clarify what constitutes a "day" in your contract.
Should I charge by the hour or by the day?
Charging by the day is often preferred for consultants and senior freelancers because it shifts the focus from "clock-watching" to value delivery. It also provides a guaranteed minimum income for that day, whereas hourly billing can be unpredictable.