Updated for 2026 · US estimate

Freelance Rate Calculator for Hourly Pricing

Calculate a sustainable freelance or consulting hourly rate from taxes, expenses, billable time, and your take-home goal. Your entries stay in this browser and are not saved.

Assumptions shown No account required Sources linked
1

Enter your numbers

Use annual values unless a field says otherwise.

2

Your estimate

Recalculates as you type.

Minimum hourly rate$111
Suggested day rate$889
Required annual revenue$127,778
Monthly revenue target$10,648
Annual billable hours1150 hrs

Planning estimate only. Tax brackets, credits, caps, filing status, local rules, and other facts can materially change your result.

Methodology

How this estimate works

The tool adds your take-home goal to annual business costs, grossing that amount up for your selected tax reserve, then divides required revenue by realistic billable hours.

What is not included

Credits, deductions outside the fields above, Social Security wage-base interactions, local tax, alternative minimum tax, platform adjustments, and individualized filing rules.

Important informational disclaimer

This calculator provides a simplified educational estimate and is not tax, legal, accounting, or financial advice. Verify consequential decisions with a qualified professional and current official or platform guidance before acting.

IRS gig work tax guidance