.calc-row { display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; margin: 0 -10px; }
.calc-col { flex: 1; min-width: 250px; padding: 10px; }
.calc-label { display: block; font-weight: 600; margin-bottom: 5px; color: #333; }
.calc-input { width: 100%; padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; }
.calc-input:focus { border-color: #0073aa; outline: none; }
.calc-btn { width: 100%; padding: 15px; background-color: #0073aa; color: white; border: none; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; cursor: pointer; margin-top: 20px; transition: background 0.3s; }
.calc-btn:hover { background-color: #005177; }
.calc-result-box { margin-top: 25px; background-color: #f9f9f9; padding: 20px; border-left: 5px solid #0073aa; border-radius: 4px; display: none; }
.calc-result-item { margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 16px; color: #555; }
.calc-result-value { font-weight: bold; color: #333; font-size: 20px; }
.calc-highlight { color: #2ecc71; font-size: 28px; }
.calc-error { color: #e74c3c; display: none; margin-top: 10px; }
function calculateFreelanceRate() {
var targetSalary = parseFloat(document.getElementById("targetSalary").value);
var monthlyExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById("monthlyExpenses").value);
var taxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById("taxRate").value);
var profitMargin = parseFloat(document.getElementById("profitMargin").value);
var billableHours = parseFloat(document.getElementById("billableHours").value);
var weeksOff = parseFloat(document.getElementById("weeksOff").value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(targetSalary) || isNaN(monthlyExpenses) || isNaN(taxRate) || isNaN(profitMargin) || isNaN(billableHours) || isNaN(weeksOff)) {
document.getElementById("errorMessage").style.display = "block";
document.getElementById("results").style.display = "none";
return;
}
if (weeksOff >= 52) {
alert("Weeks off cannot equal or exceed 52.");
return;
}
document.getElementById("errorMessage").style.display = "none";
// 1. Calculate Expenses
var annualExpenses = monthlyExpenses * 12;
// 2. Calculate Pre-Tax Salary Requirement
// Formula: Net = Gross * (1 – TaxRate) => Gross = Net / (1 – TaxRate)
// We treat Target Salary as the NET amount the user wants in their pocket
var taxDecimal = taxRate / 100;
if (taxDecimal >= 1) taxDecimal = 0.99; // Prevent division by zero or negative
var requiredSalaryRevenue = targetSalary / (1 – taxDecimal);
// 3. Base Revenue Needed (Expenses + Pre-Tax Salary)
var baseRevenue = annualExpenses + requiredSalaryRevenue;
// 4. Add Profit Margin
// Profit margin is usually added on top of costs
var marginDecimal = profitMargin / 100;
var totalRevenueNeeded = baseRevenue * (1 + marginDecimal);
// 5. Calculate Billable Hours
var workingWeeks = 52 – weeksOff;
var totalBillableHours = workingWeeks * billableHours;
// 6. Calculate Hourly Rate
var hourlyRate = 0;
if (totalBillableHours > 0) {
hourlyRate = totalRevenueNeeded / totalBillableHours;
}
// Display Results
document.getElementById("hourlyRateResult").innerText = "$" + hourlyRate.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById("totalHoursResult").innerText = totalBillableHours.toFixed(0);
document.getElementById("revenueResult").innerText = "$" + totalRevenueNeeded.toLocaleString('en-US', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById("results").style.display = "block";
}
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Please fill in all fields with valid positive numbers.
Minimum Hourly Rate:
$0.00
$0.00
Total Billable Hours / Year: 0
Gross Revenue Needed: $0.00
*Includes overhead, taxes, and profit margin.
Understanding Your Freelance Hourly Rate
Setting the correct hourly rate is one of the most critical challenges for freelancers, consultants, and independent contractors. Unlike a salaried employee, your rate must cover not just your take-home pay, but also taxes, insurance, software costs, and unbillable time.
Why Generic Math Fails Freelancers
Many new freelancers simply take their previous annual salary and divide it by 2,080 (the standard number of working hours in a year). This is a mistake that leads to burnout and financial struggle. This approach ignores:
- Non-Billable Work: You cannot bill clients for marketing, accounting, or finding new work.
- Overhead: You are now responsible for your own equipment, software subscriptions, and health insurance.
- Self-Employment Taxes: In many jurisdictions, you pay both the employer and employee portion of social security and medicare taxes.
- Time Off: If you don't build vacation and sick time into your rate, you lose money every time you take a break.
How This Calculator Works
Our Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator uses a robust "bottom-up" formula to determine your true minimum viable rate:
- Adjusted Salary Goal: It calculates the gross revenue needed to hit your net salary target after taxes.
- Overhead Loading: It annualizes your monthly expenses.
- Profit Margin: It adds a buffer for business savings and growth.
- True Billable Hours: It determines your actual earning capacity by subtracting time off and accounting for realistic daily billable hours.
Tips for Increasing Your Rate
If the calculated rate seems higher than the market average, consider niche specialization or value-based pricing. Remember, clients are paying for the solution you provide, not just the minutes you spend typing. Use the "Profit Margin" field in the calculator to see how slight adjustments in your pricing strategy can drastically improve your annual revenue.