Calculate your ideal hourly rate based on salary goals and expenses.
This freelance rate calculator helps independent contractors and self-employed professionals determine their ideal hourly rate. It accounts for your desired take-home salary, business expenses (software, insurance, equipment), taxes, vacation time, and profit margin. Unlike a simple salary-to-hourly conversion, it factors in that freelancers only bill about 60-70% of their working hours — the rest goes to admin, marketing, and business development. Perfect for new freelancers setting rates, experienced consultants reviewing pricing, and anyone transitioning from employment to self-employment. All calculations run privately in your browser. The key insight is that freelancers typically only bill 60-70% of their working hours — the rest goes to invoicing, marketing, admin, and business development. This calculator accounts for that reality.