Work
Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Enter your income goal, expenses and working hours to find your minimum viable hourly rate.
How it works
Minimum rate = (income + expenses) × (1 + buffer%) ÷ total billable hours. Billable hours = hours/week × working weeks. The buffer covers unpaid admin time, late-paying clients and quiet periods. UK freelancers average around 230 billable days/year after weekends, bank holidays and leave.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I add a profit buffer?
Not every hour is billable. Admin, pitching, networking and unpaid revisions eat into your week. A 20% buffer ensures you hit your income target even when utilisation dips.
Should I charge VAT on top?
If you're VAT-registered, add 20% VAT on top of your rate. Your rate calculator shows the net figure — VAT is collected on behalf of HMRC and doesn't form part of your income.