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Instant, private, and free
Freelance Project Pricing.
Calculate hourly rates and project pricing based on desired annual income
Set your values
Results update as you type.
Estimate your freelance rates
This calculator helps you determine competitive rates based on your income goals, available billable hours, and business expenses.
Income & Capacity
Project Details
Operating Costs
Your Pricing
Hourly Rate
Base hourly rate before profit margin
Project Rate
40 hours @ $35.71/hr
Monthly Rate
With profit margin applied
Break-Even Hourly Rate
Minimum rate to cover business expenses
Annual Project Capacity
Maximum projects per year at current capacity
Monthly Project Capacity
Average projects per month
Minimum Project Profit
Additional profit per project after covering monthly expenses
Use Cases
Set Your Freelance Hourly Rate
Determine the minimum hourly rate you need to charge to achieve your desired annual income after covering business expenses.
Example: If you want $80,000 income, have $20,000 expenses, and plan 1,500 billable hours, your rate is $66.67/hour.
Quote Fixed Project Prices
Estimate a fair project price by multiplying your calculated hourly rate by the estimated hours a project will take.
Example: A project estimated at 40 hours with a $75/hour rate would be priced at $3,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the Freelance Project Pricing Calculator work?
- You input your desired annual income, business expenses, and the number of billable hours or project scope. The calculator then computes the hourly rate needed to cover costs and achieve your profit target, and estimates project pricing based on that rate.
- What is the difference between hourly rate and project pricing?
- Hourly rate is the amount you charge per hour of work, calculated by dividing your total required income (income goal plus expenses) by billable hours. Project pricing is a fixed fee for a project, often based on the estimated hours multiplied by your hourly rate, providing a clear quote for clients.
- Can I use this calculator to set my freelance rates?
- Yes, it's designed to help you set rates that meet your income goals and cover expenses. By adjusting your income target, expenses, and billable hours, you can see how different scenarios affect your hourly rate and project pricing.
Tips & Common Mistakes
Tips
- Include all business expenses, such as software, marketing, and taxes, to get a realistic rate.
- Be realistic about billable hours – you won't bill every hour you work, so account for admin and downtime.
- Revisit your rates regularly as your skills and expenses change.
- Use the calculator to compare different income goals and see how they affect your pricing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to include non-billable time like marketing and admin when calculating billable hours.
- Underestimating expenses, leading to a rate that doesn't cover actual costs.
- Setting a rate based on what others charge without considering your own income needs.
Last updated: August 13, 2026