Freelance Rate Calculator
Are you charging enough? Most freelancers aren’t.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been freelancing for years, knowing your true hourly rate is the foundation of a profitable business. Our calculator helps you work backwards from your income goals to find the rate you actually need to charge.
Enter your details below to calculate your hourly rate.
💰 UK Hourly Rate Calculator
Find out how much you should charge per hour as a freelancer, contractor, or consultant.
Your Daily Rate: £0.00
How to use the calculator
- Enter your target annual income – what you want to take home
- Set your billable hours per week – be realistic, not optimistic
- Adjust your working weeks per year – factor in holidays, sick days, and downtime
- Add your annual business expenses – software, tools, insurance, the lot
- Hit calculate – and see what you should actually be charging
Why this matters
If you’re guessing your rates, you’re probably leaving money on the table. Or worse, working yourself into the ground for less than you’re worth.
This calculator helps you set rates that actually cover your costs and pay you properly for your time.
The bit most freelancers forget: You don’t bill for every hour you work. Admin, marketing, client calls, chasing invoices – it all adds up.
A 40-hour week might only give you 25 billable hours. This calculator accounts for that reality.
What’s a good hourly rate?
It depends on your experience, industry, and positioning. But as a rough guide for UK freelancers:
- Early career: £25–£40 per hour
- Established: £40–£75 per hour
- Specialist/consultant: £80–£150+ per hour
Your rate should reflect the value you deliver, not just the time you spend.
Ready to stop guessing? Use the calculator below and finally know your numbers.
💰 UK Hourly Rate Calculator
Find out how much you should charge per hour as a freelancer, contractor, or consultant.
Your Daily Rate: £0.00
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
Take your target annual income, add your business expenses, then divide by your total billable hours per year. That’s your weekly billable hours multiplied by the number of weeks you actually work. The calculator above does this for you automatically.
What’s a good hourly rate for UK freelancers?
It varies massively by industry, experience, and how you position yourself. As a ballpark:
- Early career: £25–£40 per hour
- Established: £40–£75 per hour
- Specialist/consultant: £80–£150+ per hour
Don’t get too hung up on averages though. Your rate should reflect the value you deliver and the results you get for clients.
How many hours can I realistically bill per week?
Less than you think. Most freelancers work 35–40 hours but only bill 20–30 of them. The rest gets eaten up by admin, marketing, proposals, client calls, and chasing payments. Be honest with yourself when you’re calculating – overestimating billable hours is one of the fastest ways to end up underpaid.
Does this work for contractors and consultants too?
Yes. Whether you’re a freelancer, contractor, consultant, or running a small agency, the maths is the same. You need to know what to charge to hit your income goals.
What about taxes and expenses?
This calculator focuses on your gross target – what you need to earn before tax. Make sure your “target annual income” accounts for what you’ll owe HMRC, or use a separate tax calculator to work out your take-home pay.
Stop guessing. Use the calculator below and finally charge what you’re worth.
💰 UK Hourly Rate Calculator
Find out how much you should charge per hour as a freelancer, contractor, or consultant.
Your Daily Rate: £0.00