Free Freelance Rate Calculator
Find out what you actually need to charge per hour and per day. Reverse-engineer your target freelance billing rate from your true living expenses, business costs, self-employment taxes, and non-billable overhead.
Freelance Hourly & Day Rate Calculator
Reverse-Engineer Your Ideal Rate from Living Expenses & Billable HoursMost full-time freelancers spend 40% of their working time on administrative tasks, proposals, emails, and client acquisition. A 55–65% utilization rate is standard and sustainable.
Target Rate Architecture
To achieve goals safely
Ready to bill at this rate?
Transfer your suggested hourly rate into Invoza's invoice generator (personal targets and overhead remain private).
The Freelancer Reality Gap
Employees receive paid vacation, employer healthcare contributions, and matched retirement. Freelancers must build these essential benefits directly into their hourly rate.
Non-Billable Overhead
If you work 40 hours a week, expect to bill only 20 to 25 hours. The remainder goes toward bookkeeping, client communications, pitches, and administrative maintenance.
Day & Project Rates
Multiply your minimum hourly rate by 8 to establish a baseline day rate, or by 40 to quote weekly sprint retainers without tracking minutes.
Related Freelance Tools & Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I just divide my target salary by 2,000 hours?
Dividing salary by 2,000 hours assumes you bill 40 hours every single week of the year with zero vacation, zero sickness, zero self-employment tax, zero software overhead, and 100% time spent on client work. In reality, independent professionals spend 35% to 45% of their working hours on unpaid admin, marketing, proposals, and invoicing.
What is a realistic billable utilization rate for freelancers?
Most established solo freelancers achieve a 55% to 65% utilization rate (billing approximately 22 to 26 hours per 40-hour workweek). New freelancers typically operate between 40% and 50% while building their client pipeline.
How much should freelancers set aside for taxes and buffers?
In the United States, independent 1099 contractors typically set aside 25% to 30% of net business income to cover federal and state income taxes, self-employment tax (FICA 15.3%), health insurance, and retirement contributions.
How do I quote clients once I know my hourly rate?
You can quote clients either by direct hourly billing, weekly retainers, or by estimating the hours required and quoting a value-based fixed project fee. Use Invoza's Hourly Invoice Calculator or create an invoice directly to test your numbers.