What should I charge?

Most freelancers pick a rate by looking at what other people charge and going a bit lower. This calculator works it out from the only number that matters: what you want to take home.

Type in seven things. Out comes the hourly rate, the day rate and a monthly retainer figure, with the maths shown.

THE SEVEN INPUTS

• What you want to take home per year
• Your income tax rate
• Business expenses (software, gear, insurance)
• Weeks off per year (holidays, sick days, slow weeks)
• Hours you work per week
• The share of those hours you cannot bill (admin, sales, email)
• The profit margin you want on top

WHAT COMES OUT

• Hourly rate, day rate, monthly retainer
• Billable hours per year and the revenue you actually need
• A what-if table: the same rates at 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 and 50 hours a week

What you get

• The calculator (.xlsx, opens in Google Sheets or Excel)
• A 1-page quick-start guide

Who it's for

Designers, developers, writers, consultants, photographers, anyone who bills by the hour or the day and suspects they are undercharging. They are.

Good to know

• No macros, add-ons or sign-ups. Works in Google Sheets (free) and Excel 2016 or newer.
• Instant download.

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