Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate what you should charge to hit your income goals. Account for non-billable time, expenses, and realistic working hours.
Reviewed by the Experi editorial team on 18 August 2026 · Inputs stay in your browser and shared links contain numbers only.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Calculate what you should charge as a freelancer
Account for holidays and sick days (typically 47-48 weeks)
Time spent on actual client work (not admin, marketing, etc.)
Software, equipment, insurance, travel, etc.
Your Numbers
No account needed. Email opens your own mail app; Experi does not send it or collect your recipient.
Pricing Tips
- This is a minimum rate - round up for profit margin
- Set aside tax separately; this tool does not estimate personal tax
- Compare the result with current demand for your specialism
- Consider value-based pricing for high-impact work
How to Calculate Your Freelance Rate
Many freelancers underprice their services because they forget to account for non-billable time, business expenses, and taxes. This calculator helps you find the rate that actually supports your income goals.
The Freelance Rate Formula
Where Billable Hours = Working Hours × Billable Percentage
Example: a £50,000 income target plus £5,000 of annual expenses, spread across 1,151.5 billable hours, produces a minimum rate of £47.76 per hour. The calculator rounds the displayed recommendation to the nearest pound.
This is a planning estimate, not tax advice. It does not calculate Income Tax, National Insurance, VAT, pension contributions or a profit margin.
Factors That Affect Your Rate
1. Billable vs Non-Billable Time
Not every working hour generates income. You also spend time on:
- Admin: Invoicing, bookkeeping, contracts
- Marketing: Finding clients, networking, proposals
- Learning: Skill development, staying current
- Breaks: Because you're human
Most freelancers are only billable 60-70% of their working time. If you work 40 hours a week, only 25-30 are actually billable.
2. Time Off
Unlike employed workers, you don't get paid holidays, sick pay, or bank holidays. Factor in:
- 4-5 weeks holiday
- Bank holidays (8 days in England/Wales)
- Potential sick days
- Quiet periods between projects
3. Business Expenses
Your rate needs to cover costs like:
- Software and tools (including Experi!)
- Equipment and hardware
- Professional insurance
- Accountant fees
- Training and courses
- Marketing and advertising
- Office space or co-working
How to Sense-Check Your Freelance Rate
There is no reliable UK-wide rate for an experience label alone. Sector, specialism, location, demand, project risk and the result you create all matter. Use the calculator to find your financial floor, then compare it with real briefs and quotes in your own market.
A practical three-step check
- Set your minimum from income, costs and realistic billable hours.
- Compare the result with three current, like-for-like opportunities in your specialism.
- Add a risk or value margin where the scope, urgency or business impact justifies it.
Hourly vs Day Rate vs Project Rate
When to Use Hourly Rates
- Scope is unclear or likely to change
- Smaller, quick tasks
- Ongoing, flexible work
- Client wants transparency on time spent
When to Use Day Rates
- Longer projects (multiple days/weeks)
- On-site work
- Client wants cost certainty
- Work requires focus without interruption
When to Use Project Rates
- Well-defined deliverables
- You're experienced and can estimate accurately
- High-value outcomes (value-based pricing)
- Client cares about results, not hours
Track Your Time, Bill Accurately
Experi includes built-in time tracking so you can see exactly how long projects take. Perfect for setting accurate rates and invoicing clients fairly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
Divide your target annual income (plus expenses) by the number of billable hours you can work. Account for time spent on admin, marketing, and holidays. A typical freelancer is only billable 60-70% of their working hours.
What is a good freelance hourly rate in the UK?
UK freelance rates vary widely by industry. Entry-level freelancers might charge £20-40/hour, experienced professionals £50-100/hour, and specialists £100-250+/hour. Day rates typically range from £200-2000+ depending on expertise.
Should I charge hourly or daily rates?
Day rates work well for longer projects and give clients cost certainty. Hourly rates suit smaller tasks and provide flexibility. Many freelancers offer both options depending on the project type.
How do I know if my rate is too high or too low?
If you're booking every enquiry, your rate might be too low. If you're rarely winning work, it might be too high (or your positioning needs work). The sweet spot is winning about 40-60% of proposals.