RateCalc
Know your worth

Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator

RateCalc is a free freelance rate calculator that turns your income goal, business expenses, taxes, and billable hours into a defensible hourly rate in about 60 seconds. No signup, no guessing, no undercharging.

Formula: hourly rate = (annual income goal + business expenses + tax allocation) / (billable hours per week × ~48 working weeks) × (1 + risk premium).

Your rate could look like
$85/hr
The number that covers your life, not just your hours.

Your Information

Enter your details to calculate your recommended rate

$
$
hrs
days
%

Tip: Be realistic with your billable hours. Include time for admin work, proposals, and client communication in your non-billable hours.

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Professional tools for serious freelancers

Unlimited Saved Calculations

Save and manage unlimited rate calculations

Advanced Analytics

Track rate changes over time with visual charts

PDF Export

Professional PDF reports for clients and proposals

Custom Templates

Pre-filled templates for different project types

Lifetime access, no subscription

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Note: These are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we genuinely believe in.

Why Use RateCalc?

No signup or email required
Accounts for freelancer-specific costs
Includes risk premium for income variability
Save calculations for future reference
Compare different scenarios instantly

Important Disclaimer

Educational Purpose Only: This calculator is provided for educational and informational purposes only. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and may not reflect actual outcomes.

  • Estimates Only: Calculations are based on the information you provide and do not guarantee accuracy, suitability, or eligibility for any specific purpose.
  • Not Financial Advice: This tool does not constitute professional financial, legal, tax, or business advice. Do not rely solely on these results for important business decisions.
  • No Warranty: Results are provided "as-is" without warranties of any kind. We are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or decisions made based on this calculator.
  • Consult Professionals: For decisions based on these calculations, please consult with qualified financial advisors, accountants, or business consultants familiar with your specific situation.
  • Individual Circumstances: Actual results may vary based on factors not accounted for in this calculator, including market conditions, industry standards, location, experience level, and individual circumstances.

By using this calculator, you acknowledge that you understand these limitations and agree to use the results as general guidance only.

Freelancers stopped undercharging the same week they ran their numbers.

40%
average rate lift
60 sec
to your real number
"I'd been undercharging for two years. Ran my numbers here and raised my rate 40% the same week."
Léa M.
Freelance designer
"Finally a straight answer on what to charge. No fluff, no signup, just my real number."
Devin O.
Copywriter
"It showed me my busy-but-broke rate was the problem. Worth way more than five dollars."
Sam K.
Developer

Your rate is a number, not a guess.

Enter your expenses and income goal. Get the hourly rate that actually pays for your life, in under a minute.