.calculator-container-unique-9921 {
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: #34495e;
}
.input-group input {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #bdc3c7;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
}
.input-group input:focus {
border-color: #3498db;
outline: none;
box-shadow: 0 0 5px rgba(52, 152, 219, 0.3);
}
.calc-button {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
background-color: #27ae60;
color: white;
padding: 15px;
border: none;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.3s;
width: 100%;
margin-top: 10px;
}
.calc-button:hover {
background-color: #219150;
}
.results-section {
grid-column: 1 / -1;
background-color: #fff;
padding: 20px;
border-left: 5px solid #3498db;
margin-top: 20px;
display: none;
box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.results-section h3 {
margin-top: 0;
color: #2c3e50;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
padding: 10px 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #eee;
}
.result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
}
.result-value {
font-size: 20px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #2980b9;
}
.highlight-result {
font-size: 28px;
color: #c0392b;
}
.error-msg {
color: #c0392b;
text-align: center;
margin-top: 10px;
display: none;
}
.article-content {
margin-top: 40px;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #333;
}
.article-content h3 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 25px;
border-bottom: 2px solid #ecf0f1;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
.article-content p {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.article-content ul {
margin-bottom: 15px;
padding-left: 20px;
}
.tooltip {
font-size: 0.85em;
color: #7f8c8d;
margin-top: 4px;
}
function calculateFreelanceRate() {
// Get inputs
var targetSalary = parseFloat(document.getElementById('targetSalary').value);
var annualExpenses = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualExpenses').value);
var billableHours = parseFloat(document.getElementById('billableHours').value);
var weeksOff = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weeksOff').value);
var taxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('taxRate').value);
var profitMargin = parseFloat(document.getElementById('profitMargin').value);
// Error display element
var errorDiv = document.getElementById('errorDisplay');
var resultsDiv = document.getElementById('resultsDisplay');
// Reset display
errorDiv.style.display = 'none';
resultsDiv.style.display = 'none';
// Validation
if (isNaN(targetSalary) || targetSalary < 0) targetSalary = 0;
if (isNaN(annualExpenses) || annualExpenses < 0) annualExpenses = 0;
// Critical validation to prevent division by zero or negative logic
if (isNaN(billableHours) || billableHours <= 0) {
errorDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter valid billable hours per week (greater than 0).";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (isNaN(weeksOff) || weeksOff = 52) {
errorDiv.innerHTML = "Please enter a valid number of weeks off (0-51).";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (isNaN(taxRate) || taxRate = 100) {
taxRate = 0; // Default to 0 if invalid
}
if (isNaN(profitMargin) || profitMargin Gross = Base / (1 – tax)
var revenueBeforeMargin = baseNeeded;
if (taxDecimal < 1) {
revenueBeforeMargin = baseNeeded / (1 – taxDecimal);
} else {
errorDiv.innerHTML = "Tax rate cannot be 100% or more.";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// Add Profit Margin (on top of gross revenue)
var marginDecimal = profitMargin / 100;
var totalGrossRevenue = revenueBeforeMargin * (1 + marginDecimal);
// 2. Calculate Total Billable Hours per Year
var workWeeks = 52 – weeksOff;
var totalBillableHours = workWeeks * billableHours;
if (totalBillableHours <= 0) {
errorDiv.innerHTML = "Total billable hours is zero based on your inputs.";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// 3. Calculate Rate
var hourlyRate = totalGrossRevenue / totalBillableHours;
var dailyRate = hourlyRate * 8; // Assuming standard 8 hour day availability, or use billableHours if daily capacity matches weekly/5
// For freelancing, usually daily rate is hourly * 8 or hourly * (hours/5). Let's use 8 as standard "Day Rate" quote, or implied full day.
// Better logic: If they work 30 hours/week, a "Day" might be 6 hours. Let's calculate based on 5 days a week average.
var averageDailyHours = billableHours / 5;
var realDailyRate = hourlyRate * averageDailyHours;
var weeklyRevenue = totalGrossRevenue / workWeeks;
// Formatting
var formatter = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
style: 'currency',
currency: 'USD',
minimumFractionDigits: 2
});
// Update DOM
document.getElementById('hourlyResult').innerText = formatter.format(hourlyRate);
document.getElementById('dailyResult').innerText = formatter.format(realDailyRate) + " (avg " + averageDailyHours.toFixed(1) + "h day)";
document.getElementById('weeklyResult').innerText = formatter.format(weeklyRevenue);
document.getElementById('grossAnnualResult').innerText = formatter.format(totalGrossRevenue);
document.getElementById('totalHoursResult').innerText = totalBillableHours.toLocaleString();
// Show results
resultsDiv.style.display = 'block';
}
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Determine exactly what you need to charge to meet your annual income goals while covering taxes and expenses.
The take-home pay you want for your lifestyle.
Software, hardware, insurance, office costs.
Realistic hours spent on client work (exclude admin).
Vacation, sick days, and holidays.
Combined state and federal income tax estimate.
Extra savings for business growth or rainy days.
Your Calculated Rates
Minimum Hourly Rate:
$0.00
Suggested Daily Rate (8h):
$0.00
Weekly Revenue Target:
$0.00
Gross Annual Revenue Needed:
$0.00
Total Billable Hours / Year:
0
Why This Freelance Rate Calculation Matters
Setting the right hourly rate is one of the most challenging aspects of freelancing. Unlike a salaried employee, your rate must cover not just your desired take-home pay, but also your taxes, overhead costs, and non-billable time. Many new freelancers make the mistake of simply dividing their previous salary by 2,080 (the standard number of work hours in a year), which leads to significant underpricing.
Understanding the Inputs
To use this calculator effectively, you need to be honest about your numbers:
- Target Annual Net Income: This is your "take-home" pay. It should cover your personal rent, food, savings, and lifestyle. Do not include business expenses here.
- Billable Hours: You cannot bill 40 hours a week consistently. You need time for marketing, accounting, emails, and professional development. A realistic average for full-time freelancers is often 25-30 billable hours per week.
- Weeks Off: Freelancers don't get paid time off. You must build vacation time and potential sick days into your rate so you can afford to take a break without losing income.
- Tax Rate: Self-employment taxes can be higher than expected. In the US, for example, you are responsible for both the employer and employee portion of Social Security and Medicare taxes, plus income tax.
The Formula Behind the Calculation
This tool uses a robust reverse-engineering method to find your rate:
- First, it calculates your Total Revenue Requirement by adding your desired income and business expenses, then adjusting for taxes and your profit buffer.
- Next, it calculates your Total Billable Capacity by subtracting your weeks off from the year (52 weeks) and multiplying the remaining weeks by your weekly billable hours.
- Finally, it divides the Total Revenue Requirement by Total Billable Capacity to give you your Minimum Hourly Rate.
By strictly adhering to this formula, you ensure that every hour you work contributes accurately to your annual financial goals.