Freelance Pricing Toolkit
Work out the hourly rate you need to hit your income goal, then turn it into a fixed-fee project quote. Two connected freelance pricing calculators in one free tool.
Disclaimer: This tool provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Results may vary based on your specific circumstances. Always consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
The Freelance Pricing Toolkit combines two connected pricing calculators freelancers reach for in sequence: first work out the minimum hourly rate you need to charge to hit your income target, then turn that rate into a fixed-fee quote for a specific project. Switch between the two modes with the toggle at the top - a "Use this rate in Project Quote" button carries your calculated rate straight into the second mode so you are not re-typing numbers.
The Target Annual Rate mode helps you work out the minimum hourly rate you need to charge to hit your income target after accounting for taxes, business expenses, and time that is not billable to clients. Many freelancers undercharge because they think of their rate as a simple annual-salary equivalent - but that ignores the employer-side taxes you now pay, the weeks you do not work, and the hours spent on admin, marketing, and unpaid client communication. Enter your target annual take-home income, estimated annual business expenses, non-billable time as a percentage, and your effective tax rate, and the calculator works backwards to find the hourly rate you need to charge to actually reach your income goal - along with a breakdown of what goes to taxes, what covers expenses, and what you actually keep.
The Project Fixed-Fee Quote mode takes that hourly rate (or one you enter directly) plus your estimated project hours and a risk/buffer percentage, and calculates a suggested fixed fee along with your effective hourly rate under that fixed-fee scenario. This is one of the most consequential pricing decisions a freelancer or consultant makes - charge the wrong structure and you either leave money on the table or lose a client to sticker shock. The buffer factors in revision rounds and scope creep, since most projects run longer than the initial estimate, especially in client-facing creative or technical work.
Use the Target Annual Rate mode when you are setting your rates for the first time, considering a rate increase, or a client asks why your rate is what it is. Use the Project Fixed-Fee Quote mode whenever a client asks for a flat price instead of an hourly rate and you want to make sure the numbers still work in your favor. All calculations happen in your browser - nothing is sent to a server, and no account is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
Take your target annual income, add business expenses and self-employment taxes, then divide by your billable hours per year. Billable hours are total working hours minus time spent on admin, marketing, and other non-chargeable work - typically 60–80% of total work time for most freelancers. The Target Annual Rate mode does this math for you.
- How do I turn my hourly rate into a fixed-fee quote?
Switch to the Project Fixed-Fee Quote mode, or click
- How much should a freelancer charge per hour?
The right rate depends on your income target, expenses, location, and niche - there is no universal answer. The Target Annual Rate mode gives you your personal minimum floor based on your specific numbers. Market rates in your field set the ceiling. Your rate should sit between those two numbers.
- When does a fixed fee make more sense than hourly?
Fixed fees are good when the scope is clear and unlikely to change, or when the client prefers budget certainty. Hourly works better for open-ended or exploratory projects. The Project Fixed-Fee Quote mode shows the crossover point where a fixed fee stops being profitable if the project runs long.
- How do I account for non-billable time in my rate?
Estimate the percentage of your working time that is not directly billed to clients - typically 20–30% for marketing, admin, and client communication. The Target Annual Rate mode divides your required annual revenue by your billable hours only, which automatically adjusts your rate upward to cover that unpaid time.