Freelance rate calculator
Work backwards from the take-home pay you actually want. Add your business costs, the hours you can realistically bill, and time off — this gives you the hourly and day rate that gets you there.
Your targets
Assumes a 30% tax set-aside on revenue, the same default used across FlowingPulse. Adjust for your own situation.
What to charge
- · Tax set-aside per month: $2,400
- · Billable hours per month: 96
Now check whether that revenue actually keeps you afloat.
Track the real numbers instead of the target ones — runway, burn rate and tax buffer in one dashboard.
Get FlowingPulse — $4.99 lifetimeFreelance pricing questions
How do you calculate a freelance hourly rate?
Start from the take-home you want, add business expenses and a tax set-aside to get required revenue, then divide by the hours you can genuinely bill each month.
How many hours a week can a freelancer really bill?
Most solo freelancers bill 20–30 hours of a 40-hour week. Sales calls, proposals, invoicing and admin are unpaid, so pricing against 40 hours leaves you short.
How much should I set aside for tax?
30% of revenue is a common working assumption, but it depends on your jurisdiction and situation. This tool shows the set-aside separately so you can plan around your own number.
See the rest of the free set: All FlowingPulse tools