Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Last updated: July 2026
Estimate a sustainable freelance hourly rate from desired take-home income, expenses, taxes, billable hours and non-billable time.
Estimated minimum freelance hourly rate
—
- Required annual pre-tax revenue: —
- Estimated annual billable hours: —
- Estimated tax reserve: —
- Suggested rate with 15% profit buffer: —
On this page
Quick summary: Estimate a sustainable freelance hourly rate from desired take-home income, expenses, taxes, billable hours and non-billable time. Enter the requested values, calculate, review the result, and compare more than one realistic scenario before making a decision.
Read the complete guide
What this calculator estimates
Estimate a sustainable freelance hourly rate from desired take-home income, expenses, taxes, billable hours and non-billable time. It is designed for fast planning and comparison in the United States. The output is an estimate, not a binding quote, approval, tax determination, insurance offer or professional recommendation.
How to use it
Enter the requested values using a single consistent time period and currency. Select Calculate, review the headline result and supporting figures, then change one assumption at a time to compare another scenario.
How the calculation works
The desired take-home income and business expenses are grossed up for taxes and unpaid work, then divided by annual billable hours.
Important limitations
Tax brackets, deductions, benefits, retirement, sales tax, utilization and market pricing vary. The output is a planning floor, not a guaranteed market rate.
Frequently asked questions
Is the result exact?
No. It is a planning estimate based on the assumptions entered.
Can I compare different scenarios?
Yes. Change one input at a time so you can see which assumption changes the result.
Does the calculator store my inputs?
The calculation runs in the browser and does not require an account. Avoid entering unnecessary confidential information.