For Freelancers & Consultants

Freelance Rate Calculator

Calculate your ideal hourly, daily, or monthly rate. Factor in your desired income, expenses, taxes, and profit margin to set sustainable freelance rates.

Your Requirements

What you want to take home after taxes

Realistic billable hours (not total working hours)

Software, equipment, insurance, accounting, etc.

Income tax + self-employment tax (varies by country)

Buffer for savings, growth, and unexpected costs (20-30% recommended)

Your Rates

Minimum Hourly Rate
49.11
per hour
Daily Rate (8h)
393
Monthly Average
7857
Required Annual Revenue
94286
To achieve €50,000 take-home
Calculation Breakdown
Working weeks48 weeks
Total billable hours1,920 hours
Gross income needed78571
Estimated taxes23571

Billable Hours Reality

Most freelancers can only bill 60-70% of their time. The rest goes to admin, marketing, and non-billable work.

Profit Margin

A 20-30% profit margin provides a safety buffer for slow months, professional development, and business growth.

Hidden Expenses

Don't forget: health insurance, retirement savings, accounting, software, and co-working spaces add up.

Setting Your Freelance Rates

Start higher than you think: It's easier to offer a discount than to raise rates. Clients who value quality expect to pay for expertise.

Consider value-based pricing: If your work generates €10,000 in value for a client, charging €2,000 is reasonable regardless of hours spent.

Package your services: Day rates and project rates often command higher effective hourly rates than hourly billing.

Ready to invoice at your new rate?

PayRequest makes invoicing easy with professional templates, 20+ payment methods, and automatic reminders.