💰 Freelance Rate Calculator
Find your minimum hourly rate, recommended rate, and day rate in seconds
What You Need to Earn
What you want in your pocket after taxes and expenses.
Software subscriptions, hardware, internet, coworking space, insurance, accountant, etc.
Federal + state + self-employment tax combined. 25–35% is typical for US freelancers.
Your Work Schedule
Be honest — only count hours you can actually charge clients for. Most freelancers bill 20–30 hrs/week. The rest is admin, marketing, and unbillable work.
You don't get paid when you don't work. Include vacation, holidays, sick days, and personal days.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
To calculate your freelance hourly rate: (1) Start with your desired annual take-home income, (2) add your annual business expenses (software, hardware, insurance, etc.), (3) divide by (1 minus your effective tax rate) to account for taxes, (4) divide by your annual billable hours. The GigUtils Freelance Rate Calculator does all of this instantly and adds a 20% buffer for uneven workloads and negotiation room.
How many billable hours do most freelancers work per week?
Most freelancers bill 20 to 30 hours per week. The remaining work time goes to admin, marketing, client communication, proposals, invoicing, and other non-billable tasks. A 40-hour work week does not equal 40 billable hours. Be realistic when setting your rate — overestimating billable hours is the most common mistake freelancers make.
What is a good freelance day rate?
A day rate is typically your recommended hourly rate multiplied by 8 hours. The GigUtils calculator computes this automatically. Many freelancers prefer day rates because they compensate for the admin overhead between client projects and simplify project pricing. Day rates are common in creative fields (design, photography, videography), consulting, and software development.
How much should I set aside for taxes as a freelancer?
US freelancers should typically set aside 25% to 35% of income for taxes. This covers federal income tax, state income tax (varies by state), and self-employment tax (15.3% for Social Security and Medicare). The exact percentage depends on your income level and state. The GigUtils calculator lets you input your effective tax rate directly.
⚠️ This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or professional advice. Rates should be adjusted based on your specific market, experience level, and client expectations.