.calculator-tool-container {
font-family: 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
background: #fff;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.calc-box {
background: #f8f9fa;
padding: 25px;
border-radius: 8px;
border: 1px solid #e9ecef;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.calc-row {
display: flex;
flex-wrap: wrap;
margin-bottom: 15px;
gap: 15px;
}
.calc-group {
flex: 1 1 45%;
min-width: 250px;
}
.calc-group label {
display: block;
margin-bottom: 5px;
font-weight: 600;
color: #333;
font-size: 14px;
}
.calc-group input, .calc-group select {
width: 100%;
padding: 10px;
border: 1px solid #ccc;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.calc-group small {
display: block;
margin-top: 4px;
font-size: 12px;
color: #666;
}
.calc-btn {
background-color: #2c3e50;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 12px 25px;
font-size: 16px;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
width: 100%;
margin-top: 10px;
transition: background 0.3s;
font-weight: bold;
}
.calc-btn:hover {
background-color: #1a252f;
}
.result-box {
margin-top: 25px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #e8f4f8;
border-left: 5px solid #3498db;
display: none;
}
.result-title {
font-size: 18px;
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.result-value {
font-size: 36px;
color: #3498db;
font-weight: bold;
margin-bottom: 5px;
}
.result-breakdown {
margin-top: 15px;
padding-top: 15px;
border-top: 1px solid #d1d8dd;
font-size: 14px;
color: #555;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
margin-bottom: 5px;
}
.article-section h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 30px;
font-size: 24px;
}
.article-section h3 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-top: 20px;
font-size: 20px;
}
.article-section p {
line-height: 1.6;
color: #444;
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.article-section ul {
margin-bottom: 15px;
padding-left: 20px;
}
.article-section li {
margin-bottom: 8px;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #444;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.calc-group {
flex: 1 1 100%;
}
}
function calculateHourlyRate() {
// Get input values
var annualNet = parseFloat(document.getElementById('annualSalary').value);
var monthlyExp = parseFloat(document.getElementById('monthlyExpenses').value);
var weeklyHours = parseFloat(document.getElementById('billableHours').value);
var weeksOff = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weeksOff').value);
var taxRate = parseFloat(document.getElementById('taxRate').value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(annualNet) || isNaN(monthlyExp) || isNaN(weeklyHours) || isNaN(weeksOff) || isNaN(taxRate)) {
alert("Please fill in all fields with valid numbers.");
return;
}
if (weeksOff >= 52) {
alert("Weeks off cannot equal or exceed 52 weeks.");
return;
}
if (weeklyHours = 1) {
alert("Tax rate cannot be 100% or more.");
return;
}
var grossRevenueNeeded = targetNetAndExpenses / (1 – taxDecimal);
var totalTaxes = grossRevenueNeeded – targetNetAndExpenses;
// 3. Calculate Total Billable Hours
var workingWeeks = 52 – weeksOff;
var totalBillableHours = workingWeeks * weeklyHours;
// 4. Calculate Hourly Rate
var hourlyRate = grossRevenueNeeded / totalBillableHours;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('finalRate').innerHTML = '$' + hourlyRate.toFixed(2);
document.getElementById('grossRevenue').innerHTML = '$' + Math.round(grossRevenueNeeded).toLocaleString();
document.getElementById('totalHours').innerHTML = Math.round(totalBillableHours).toLocaleString();
// Overhead includes Business Expenses + Taxes
var totalOverhead = annualExpenses + totalTaxes;
document.getElementById('taxOverhead').innerHTML = '$' + Math.round(totalOverhead).toLocaleString();
document.getElementById('resultsDisplay').style.display = 'block';
}
How to Calculate Your Freelance Hourly Rate
Setting the right hourly rate is one of the most critical challenges for freelancers, consultants, and contractors. Unlike a salaried employee, your rate must cover not just your take-home pay, but also your taxes, business expenses, insurance, and unpaid time spent on administrative tasks. This calculator uses a reverse-engineering approach to determine exactly what you need to charge to meet your financial goals.
Why You Cannot Just Divide Your Salary by 2,080
A standard full-time job consists of roughly 2,080 hours per year (40 hours x 52 weeks). However, freelancers rarely bill for 100% of their working time. You must account for unbillable hours, which include:
- Marketing and business development (finding clients)
- Invoicing and bookkeeping
- Continuing education and skill building
- Email management and meetings
Most successful freelancers aim for a billable utilization rate of 50% to 75%. If you plan to bill 25 hours a week, you are likely working a full 40-hour week when administrative tasks are included.
Understanding the Inputs
Desired Annual Net Income: This is the amount of money you want to actually deposit into your personal bank account at the end of the year. Think of this as your "salary" after all business costs and Uncle Sam are paid.
Business Expenses: Freelancing comes with overhead. This includes software subscriptions (Adobe, QuickBooks, Zoom), hardware upgrades, home office utilities, internet, and health insurance premiums if you are self-insuring.
Tax Rate: As a freelancer, you are responsible for both the employee and employer portions of Social Security and Medicare taxes (often called Self-Employment Tax), plus federal and state income taxes. A safe estimate for many US-based freelancers is 25-30%, but this varies significantly by location and income bracket.
The Formula Used in This Calculator
To ensure accuracy, this tool uses the following logic:
- Calculate Total Financial Need: Adds your Desired Net Income to your Annualized Business Expenses.
- Adjust for Taxes: Gross Up the total need so that after taxes are removed, you are left with your target amount.
Formula: Gross Revenue = (Net Income + Expenses) / (1 – Tax Rate)
- Calculate Available Hours: Determines total working weeks by subtracting vacation/sick time from 52, then multiplies by your weekly billable capacity.
- Determine Rate: Divides the Gross Revenue Target by Total Billable Hours.
By using this method, you ensure that every billable hour contributes correctly toward your lifestyle, your business costs, and your tax obligations, preventing the common mistake of underpricing your services.