About this calculator

How-to: enter target take-home, business expenses, tax + social-security rate, weeks off (holidays + sick + admin) and billable utilisation (60–70% is realistic for consultants). Required revenue = (take-home + expenses) ÷ (1 − tax). Billable hours/year = (52 − weeks off) × weekly hours × utilisation. Hourly rate = revenue ÷ billable hours.

Frequently asked questions

What utilisation should I plan for?

Solo consultants realistically bill 60–70% of working hours; the rest goes to sales, admin, learning and rework. New freelancers should plan 50% for the first year.

Should I include VAT/sales tax in my rate?

No — quote net. VAT is added on top of your invoice and passed straight to the tax office, so it isn't part of your rate.

How do I convert an hourly rate to a fixed-price quote?

Estimate hours, multiply by rate, then add 20–30% contingency for scope creep. For repeat clients, productise: fixed deliverable at a fixed price above the equivalent hours.

What does the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator do?

The hourly rate a freelancer must charge to hit a take-home salary target, after taxes, expenses, holidays and non-billable time. How-to: enter target take-home, business expenses, tax + social-security rate, weeks off (holidays + sick + admin) and billable utilisation (60–70% is realistic for consultants). Required revenue = (take-home + expenses) ÷ (1 − tax). Billable hours/year = (52 − weeks off) × weekly hours × utilisation. Hourly rate = revenue ÷ billable hours.

Is the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator free to use?

Yes. Every calculator on Calcurly.com is free, works in your browser without sign-up, and can be embedded on your own website.

How accurate is the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator?

Results are calculated in real time using industry-standard formulas. Treat the output as a well-informed estimate — always cross-check with local regulations, product datasheets, or a qualified freelance & consulting professional before committing to a purchase or a job.

What inputs does the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator need?

Enter values for: Target take-home / year, Annual business expenses, Tax + social-security %, Working hours / week, Weeks off / year, Billable utilisation %. Sensible defaults are pre-filled where possible so you can start with a single change.

Can I embed the Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator on my own website?

Yes — copy the iframe snippet at the bottom of this page, or use the Embed Generator to customise the size. The embedded version stays in sync with the live calculator on Calcurly.com.