Freelance Rate Calculator
Work out the minimum hourly and day rate you need to charge as a freelancer, from your own numbers.
Your minimum is the floor, not your price. Add more for experience, speed and specialist skills.
How the calculator works
It adds the tax you need to set aside and your yearly business costs to the take-home pay you want. Then it divides that total by your billable hours — the hours clients actually pay for. The result is the lowest rate at which your freelance business works.
Want the full method with examples? Read the freelance pricing guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good hourly rate for a beginner freelancer?
Start from your own numbers: the income you need, your business costs and the hours you can really bill. That gives your minimum. Beginners often charge close to the minimum for the first few clients, then raise it after good reviews.
How many billable hours does a freelancer have per year?
Most freelancers bill 50–70% of their working time. The rest goes to emails, proposals, learning and admin. With 46 working weeks of 40 hours, that is roughly 900–1,300 billable hours.
Should I charge hourly or per project?
Use your hourly rate to estimate, then quote one project price with a 15–25% buffer. Clients prefer a clear total, and you are paid for the result, not the minutes.
In Noveo every invoice gets a private payment link, automatic reminders and a record in your income — free to start.
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