Freelance hourly rate calculator
Most people multiply 40 hours by 52 weeks. With the starting values below (25 vacation days, 11 holidays, 10 sick days, 65% billable) about 1,100 billable hours remain per year instead of 2,080. See what that means for your rate.
Your minimum hourly rate
€52
- Day rate
- €416
- Billable hours per year
- 1,113
- Work days per year
- 214
- Required revenue per year
- €56,760
Estimates only · not financial advice
Track hours properly: time-tracking tools comparedWorked example with the starting values
- Work days: 52 × 5 = 260, minus 11 holidays, 25 vacation days and 10 sick days = 214 days.
- Billable hours: 214 × 8 hours × 65% ≈ 1,113 hours.
- Revenue needed: (€48,000 target + 12 × €300 business costs) × 1.10 buffer = €56,760.
- Hourly rate: €56,760 ÷ 1,113 hours ≈ €52 (rounded up), day rate 8 × €52 = €416.
- Same values but only 50% billable (lots of sales work): 856 hours, so about €67 per hour.
Keep going: Tool cost calculator · Invoice calculator · Accounting comparison
Hourly rate FAQ
How do I calculate my freelance hourly rate?
Divide your target amount plus business costs by your billable hours, not by 2,080 hours. After vacation, holidays, sick days and time for sales, often only about 1,100 hours a year remain.
How many hours can I really bill per year?
With 5 work days, 25 vacation days, 11 holidays, 10 sick days and 65% billable time it is about 1,110 hours. Heavy sales work brings you closer to 50% and under 900 hours.
What is a good day rate?
Your day rate is your hourly rate times your work hours per day. The calculator shows it automatically.
Why a safety buffer?
Projects get cancelled, clients pay late, tools get pricier. A 10 to 20% buffer keeps one weak month from breaking the year.
Which business costs should I include?
Everything your business costs each month: software, hardware, office, training, website.