.calc-container {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #f9f9f9;
border: 1px solid #e0e0e0;
border-radius: 8px;
}
.calc-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.calc-header h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.calc-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.calc-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
.input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.input-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 5px;
font-weight: 600;
color: #555;
}
.input-group input {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
box-sizing: border-box;
font-size: 16px;
}
.input-group .hint {
font-size: 12px;
color: #7f8c8d;
margin-top: 4px;
}
.btn-calc {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
background-color: #27ae60;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 15px;
font-size: 18px;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background 0.3s;
width: 100%;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.btn-calc:hover {
background-color: #219150;
}
.results-area {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
background-color: #fff;
border: 1px solid #dcdcdc;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 4px;
margin-top: 20px;
display: none;
}
.results-area h3 {
margin-top: 0;
color: #2c3e50;
border-bottom: 2px solid #27ae60;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
margin-bottom: 10px;
font-size: 16px;
}
.result-row.highlight {
font-weight: bold;
color: #27ae60;
font-size: 20px;
margin-top: 15px;
border-top: 1px solid #eee;
padding-top: 15px;
}
.seo-content {
max-width: 800px;
margin: 40px auto;
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.seo-content h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
}
.seo-content h3 {
color: #34495e;
}
.seo-content ul {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.seo-content li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
}
function calculateHourlyRate() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var desiredIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById('desired-income').value);
var monthlyExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthly-expenses').value);
var billableHoursWeek = parseFloat(document.getElementById('billable-hours').value);
var weeksOff = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weeks-off').value);
var taxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('tax-rate').value);
var profitMargin = parseFloat(document.getElementById('profit-margin').value);
// 2. Validate Inputs
if (isNaN(desiredIncome) || isNaN(monthlyExpenses) || isNaN(billableHoursWeek) || isNaN(weeksOff) || isNaN(taxRate)) {
alert("Please fill in all required fields with valid numbers.");
return;
}
if (weeksOff >= 52) {
alert("Weeks off cannot equal or exceed 52 weeks.");
return;
}
// Set default for profit margin if empty
if (isNaN(profitMargin)) {
profitMargin = 0;
}
// 3. Perform Calculations
// Annual Business Expenses
var annualExpenses = monthlyExpenses * 12;
// Calculate Gross Revenue needed to cover Taxes
// Formula: (Net + Expenses) / (1 – TaxRate)
// Note: This logic ensures that after taxes are taken out of the Gross, you are left with Net + Expenses.
var taxDecimal = taxRate / 100;
var baseNeed = desiredIncome + annualExpenses;
var grossRevenueNeeded = baseNeed / (1 – taxDecimal);
// Add Profit Margin Buffer
// If we want a 10% margin on top of the gross revenue:
var marginDecimal = profitMargin / 100;
var totalGrossNeeded = grossRevenueNeeded * (1 + marginDecimal);
// Calculate Billable Hours
var workingWeeks = 52 – weeksOff;
var totalBillableHours = workingWeeks * billableHoursWeek;
// Calculate Hourly Rate
var hourlyRate = 0;
if (totalBillableHours > 0) {
hourlyRate = totalGrossNeeded / totalBillableHours;
} else {
alert("Billable hours must be greater than zero.");
return;
}
// 4. Update UI
document.getElementById('res-expenses').innerHTML = "$" + annualExpenses.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('res-revenue').innerHTML = "$" + totalGrossNeeded.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('res-hours').innerHTML = totalBillableHours.toFixed(0) + " hours";
document.getElementById('res-rate').innerHTML = "$" + hourlyRate.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
// Show results div
document.getElementById('results-display').style.display = "block";
}
How to Calculate Your Freelance Hourly Rate
Setting the right hourly rate is one of the most critical decisions for freelancers, consultants, and contractors. Unlike a salaried employee, your rate must cover not just your salary, but also your taxes, overhead costs, unpaid vacation time, and business profit. Using a Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator ensures you don't undervalue your time.
The Mathematics Behind the Rate
Many new freelancers make the mistake of simply dividing their desired annual salary by 2,080 (the standard number of work hours in a year). This calculation is flawed for two main reasons:
- Billable vs. Non-Billable Hours: You cannot bill for 40 hours a week. You spend time on marketing, accounting, and client acquisition. A healthy freelance ratio is often 60% billable work and 40% administrative work.
- Overhead & Taxes: Employers usually pay for health insurance, equipment, and half of your FICA taxes. As a freelancer, you bear these costs entirely.
Understanding the Inputs
To use this calculator effectively, you should understand the variables that dictate your rate:
1. Desired Annual Net Income
This is the amount of money you want to put in your pocket after expenses and taxes. For example, if you want a lifestyle equivalent to a $75,000 salary, enter $75,000 here.
2. Billable Hours & Weeks Off
Be realistic. If you plan to take 2 weeks for vacation, 1 week for sick days, and 1 week for holidays, enter '4' for weeks off. Furthermore, rarely does a freelancer bill 40 hours a week consistently. A safer estimate is 20-30 billable hours per week.
3. The Tax Factor
Self-employment tax significantly impacts your bottom line. In many jurisdictions, you should estimate setting aside 25% to 30% of your gross revenue for taxes to be safe. This calculator uses a reverse-calculation method to ensure your Net Income is truly what you take home.
Example Calculation
Let's say you are a graphic designer aiming for a net income of $60,000. You have $300 in monthly software subscriptions and internet costs. You plan to work 30 billable hours a week and take 4 weeks off per year. Assuming a 25% tax rate:
- Annual Expenses: $3,600
- Gross Revenue Needed: ($60,000 + $3,600) / 0.75 = $84,800
- Total Billable Hours: 48 weeks * 30 hours = 1,440 hours
- Required Hourly Rate: $84,800 / 1,440 = $58.89/hr
By charging approximately $60/hr, you cover your costs, pay your taxes, and hit your income goal.