.calc-input-group { margin-bottom: 15px; }
.calc-label { display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; font-weight: 600; color: #333; }
.calc-input { width: 100%; padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ccc; border-radius: 4px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; }
.calc-btn { width: 100%; padding: 12px; background-color: #2c3e50; color: white; border: none; border-radius: 4px; font-size: 18px; cursor: pointer; transition: background 0.3s; margin-top: 10px; }
.calc-btn:hover { background-color: #34495e; }
.calc-results { margin-top: 25px; padding: 20px; background: #fff; border-left: 5px solid #27ae60; display: none; box-shadow: 0 2px 5px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); }
.calc-result-row { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; margin-bottom: 10px; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 5px; }
.calc-result-label { color: #555; }
.calc-result-value { font-weight: bold; color: #2c3e50; }
.calc-final-result { font-size: 24px; color: #27ae60; text-align: center; margin-top: 15px; font-weight: bold; }
.calc-error { color: #c0392b; margin-top: 10px; display: none; font-weight: bold; }
.article-content { margin-top: 40px; line-height: 1.6; color: #444; }
.article-content h2 { color: #2c3e50; border-bottom: 2px solid #eee; padding-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 30px; }
.article-content h3 { color: #34495e; margin-top: 20px; }
.article-content ul { padding-left: 20px; }
.article-content li { margin-bottom: 8px; }
function calculateFreelanceRate() {
var desiredIncome = parseFloat(document.getElementById("desiredIncome").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 errorDiv = document.getElementById("calcError");
var resultsDiv = document.getElementById("calcResults");
// Reset display
errorDiv.style.display = "none";
resultsDiv.style.display = "none";
// Validation
if (isNaN(desiredIncome) || isNaN(annualExpenses) || isNaN(billableHours) || isNaN(weeksOff) || isNaN(taxRate) ||
desiredIncome < 0 || annualExpenses < 0 || billableHours <= 0 || weeksOff < 0 || taxRate = 52) {
errorDiv.innerHTML = "Weeks off cannot equal or exceed 52 weeks.";
errorDiv.style.display = "block";
return;
}
// 1. Calculate Total Working Weeks
var workingWeeks = 52 – weeksOff;
// 2. Calculate Total Billable Hours per Year
var totalBillableHours = workingWeeks * billableHours;
// 3. Calculate Gross Revenue Needed
// Formula: (Net Income + Expenses) / (1 – TaxRate) is WRONG because expenses reduce taxable income.
// Correct Logic for Freelancers:
// Gross Revenue = (Net Income + Expenses) / (1 – TaxRate%) ?
// Simplified: We need enough Money to pay taxes AND expenses AND keep Net Income.
// var G = Gross. Tax = G * Rate. Net = G – Expenses – Tax.
// Net = G – Expenses – (G * Rate)
// Net + Expenses = G * (1 – Rate)
// G = (Net + Expenses) / (1 – Rate)
var taxDecimal = taxRate / 100;
if (taxDecimal >= 1) {
errorDiv.innerHTML = "Tax rate must be less than 100%.";
errorDiv.style.display = "block";
return;
}
var grossRevenueNeeded = (desiredIncome + annualExpenses) / (1 – taxDecimal);
// 4. Calculate Hourly Rate
var hourlyRate = grossRevenueNeeded / totalBillableHours;
// 5. Calculate Tax Amount
var taxAmount = grossRevenueNeeded * taxDecimal;
// Display Results
document.getElementById("resTotalHours").innerHTML = Math.round(totalBillableHours).toLocaleString();
document.getElementById("resGrossRevenue").innerHTML = "$" + Math.round(grossRevenueNeeded).toLocaleString();
document.getElementById("resTaxes").innerHTML = "$" + Math.round(taxAmount).toLocaleString();
document.getElementById("resHourlyRate").innerHTML = "$" + hourlyRate.toFixed(2) + " / hr";
resultsDiv.style.display = "block";
}
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate the perfect rate to meet your income goals while covering taxes and expenses.
Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.
Total Billable Hours/Year:
0
Gross Revenue Needed:
$0
Taxes Estimated:
$0
Minimum Hourly Rate:
$0.00 / hr
How to Calculate Your True Freelance Hourly Rate
Setting the right hourly rate is one of the biggest challenges for freelancers, consultants, and independent contractors. Unlike a salaried employee, your rate isn't just "money in your pocket." It must cover your business overhead, taxes, health insurance, and unpaid time off. Using a Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator ensures you don't underprice your services and end up earning less than minimum wage after expenses.
The Formula Behind the Calculation
Many new freelancers make the mistake of simply dividing their desired annual salary by 2,080 (the standard number of working hours in a year). This is a recipe for financial disaster. To find your true sustainable rate, you must account for non-billable time and overhead.
The basic formula used in this calculator is:
Hourly Rate = (Desired Net Income + Expenses) / (1 – Tax Rate) / Total Billable Hours
Key Factors That Influence Your Rate
- Billable vs. Non-Billable Hours: You cannot bill clients for 40 hours a week every week. You need time for marketing, invoicing, replying to emails, and skill development. A realistic billable load is often 20–30 hours per week.
- Self-Employment Taxes: In many countries, freelancers pay both the employer and employee portion of social security and medicare taxes. Always estimate your taxes higher (25-30%) to be safe.
- Time Off: You don't get paid vacation or sick leave. You must price these weeks into your hourly rate so you can afford to take a break without losing income.
- Overhead Costs: Don't forget software subscriptions, laptop upgrades, internet costs, co-working space fees, and professional insurance.
Why You Should Probably Charge More
If the calculator outputs a number that seems high (e.g., $85/hr when you were thinking $40/hr), don't panic. Clients are not just paying for your time; they are paying for the flexibility of not hiring a full-time employee. They don't pay for your office space, benefits, or severance. Therefore, a premium hourly rate is expected in the B2B market.
How to Use This Calculator
- Desired Net Income: Enter the "take-home" pay you want for your personal life (rent, food, savings).
- Annual Expenses: Sum up all business-related costs for the year.
- Billable Hours: Be honest. If you work 40 hours, perhaps only 25 are billable to clients.
- Weeks Off: Include holidays, planned vacations, and a buffer for sick days.
- Tax Rate: Consult a local tax professional, but 25-30% is a common baseline for estimation in the US.