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Hourly rate calculator

The rate you need is higher than the naive maths suggests. Enter your target income, costs, and the hours you can realistically bill.

£
£
h/wk
Minimum hourly rate
£48
You need to bill £51,000
Billable hours a year 1,056

Why your real rate is higher than you think

The trap is assuming you bill 37.5 hours a week, 52 weeks a year. In reality, admin, sales, holidays and gaps eat most of that. A realistic figure is often 20 to 25 billable hours a week, over roughly 46 working weeks. Divide by that, and your true rate is a lot higher than the naive number.

This is your floor. Once you know it, quote fixed project prices based on value, using the rate only to check you are not underwater. More in how to price freelance work, or work in days with the day rate calculator.

Next steps

Copy a template

TemplateQuote templateQuote the work and set the terms

Read the guide

GuideHow to price freelance work (day rate vs value)How to set freelance rates that actually pay you properly, working out your day rate, when to price by value, and how to raise prices without losing clients.GuideHow to raise your freelance rates (without losing clients)How to tell if you're underpriced, raise your freelance rates with confidence, handle pushback and package your work so a rate rise actually sticks.GuideHow much to charge for brand deals (a creator's guide)How to price sponsored posts and brand deals as a content creator, what actually drives your rate, a simple starting formula, and how to invoice sponsors properly.

What the words mean

TermDay rateWhat you charge for a day of your time, which is not your salary divided by 260.TermOverheadThe ongoing costs of running your business that are not tied to a single sale.TermRetainerA recurring fee a client pays for ongoing work or availability.
Track time, see real profit per job.

The Agency app in tracks time against projects and shows the profit on each one. Free to start.

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