Design your
ideal freelance
life — not just a rate.
This isn't a rate calculator. It's a lifestyle designer. Tell us the life you want — income, hours, time off — and we'll tell you exactly what to charge to make it real.
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Your target rate
$165/hr
Minimum $42/hr · W-2 equiv. $224k/yr
Per day
$1,320
Per week
$4,125
Per month
$17.8k
Work 25h/wk · 6 wks off→1,150 billable hrs/yr
Quick Start Presets
Your Lifestyle
Income · Time · Freedom$100,000/yr · $164/hr → $1,312/day
$25/mo · $300/yr
$46/mo · $552/yr
Costs & Safety
Taxes · Benefits · Buffer$300/mo · $3,600/yr
$450/mo · $5,400/yr
$500/mo · $6,000/yr
Your target rate
$164/hr
Minimum viable: $19/hr·W-2 equivalent: $255,054/yr
You need +89% over salary to cover real costs
Per day (8h)
$1,314
Per week
$4,107
Per month
$17,784
Billable time
55% of a 40h week year
Employee equivalent
$255,054/yr
What an employer would pay with payroll tax + benefits (~35%).
≈ +155% over your take-home
- • Employer payroll tax ~7.65%
- • Benefits & insurance ~20–30%
- • Paid leave, equipment, overhead
Your freelance rate
$164/hr
Covers taxes, benefits, expenses & risk — nothing hidden.
- • Taxes: $49,286/yr
- • Benefits: $11,400/yr
- • Expenses: $3,600/yr
Client proposal preview
To earn $100,000/yr working 25 billable hrs/wk (46 wks/yr), charge $164/hr — that's $1,314/day, $4,107/wk, $17,784/mo.
Paste into proposals, invoices, or rate sheets. Link shares your exact inputs via URL.
Annual cost breakdown
Business expenses
$3,600
Estimated taxes
$49,286
Benefits (health + retirement)
$11,400
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Guides & Resources
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The true financial comparison with current numbers.
Self-Employment Tax 2026
Complete guide to SE tax, brackets, and quarterly payments.
Pricing Strategies
Hourly vs value-based vs project-based pricing.
Retainer Rate Guide
Calculate retainers with templates and formulas.
Rate Calculator Guide
Step-by-step to calculate your true hourly rate.
Day Rate vs Hourly
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Tax Deductions Guide
Maximize your freelance tax write-offs.
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The formula behind the magic
How this calculation works
Most freelancers guess. We use an 8-step formula that factors in every real cost of being self-employed — so your rate covers life, not just labor.
Your Target Take-Home Pay
Start with how much money you want in your bank account each year — after all taxes. This is your lifestyle number.
Self-Employment Tax (15.3%)
Employees split FICA taxes with their employer. As a freelancer, you pay both halves. On $100K net, that's $15,300.
Federal & State Income Tax
The calculator uses your combined federal + state rate to ensure every tax dollar is accounted for.
Health Insurance
Marketplace plans run $400–$2,500/month. Fully deductible — but you still need to earn it first.
Retirement Contributions
Solo 401(k) allows up to $70,000 in contributions. You're your own retirement plan now.
Business Expenses
Software, hardware, home office — these add up to $5K–$20K+ annually.
Billable Hours Reality
15–25 billable hours/week is realistic. The rest is admin, proposals, and marketing.
Risk Buffer (10–20%)
Clients pay late, projects get cancelled. Freelancers don't have unemployment insurance.
The Formula: (Take-Home + SE Tax + Income Tax + Insurance + Retirement + Expenses + Buffer) ÷ Billable Hours
Recalculate quarterly — rates should evolve as your skills and costs do.
The hidden gap
Why most freelancers undercharge by 30–50%
The “just divide by 2,080” method ignores hidden costs:
- ✕Self-employment tax (15.3%) — employers normally pay half
- ✕Health insurance ($400–$2,500/mo) — employers cover 50–80%
- ✕No 401(k) match, no paid vacation, no sick days
- ✕Non-billable time eats 30–50% of your week
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Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about freelance rates.
What is the freelance lifestyle calculator?
It's a tool that calculates your true minimum freelance rate based on your desired lifestyle — target income, weekly hours, time off, expenses, and risk tolerance. Unlike simple rate calculators, it factors in self-employment tax, health insurance, retirement, and non-billable time.
How is my freelance rate calculated?
The calculator starts with your target annual take-home pay, adds self-employment tax (15.3%), income tax, health insurance, retirement contributions, and business expenses. It then divides by your billable hours and adds a risk buffer.
Why do most freelancers undercharge?
Most set rates based on employee salary ÷ 2,080 hours, ignoring self-employment tax (15.3%), health insurance, no retirement match, unpaid time off, business expenses, and non-billable time. The real gap is typically 30–50% higher than most expect.
How much should I set aside for taxes?
Plan for 25–35% of each payment for federal and state taxes. Self-employment tax alone is 15.3% (12.4% Social Security + 2.9% Medicare).
How often should I recalculate?
At minimum quarterly, or whenever costs change — new insurance, moved, added software, or gained skills. Annual review is essential.
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