Freelance Day Rate Calculator
Not sure what to charge as a freelancer? Enter your target take-home income, expected billable days, overhead costs, and tax rate to find the day rate you actually need.
About this calculator
Work out the day rate you need to charge as a freelancer based on your income goal, billable days, business expenses, and taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my required day rate higher than expected?
Freelancers must cover taxes, business expenses, and non-billable time like admin, marketing, and vacation — all of which reduce the number of days you can actually invoice for.
How many billable days should I plan for per week?
Most freelancers realistically bill 3-4 days per week once you factor in client acquisition, admin work, and downtime, even in a nominal 5-day work week.
Should I include savings or retirement contributions in my target income?
Yes — treat your 'desired take-home income' as everything you want left after taxes and expenses, including savings goals, since freelancers don't get employer-sponsored retirement matching.