Freelance Rate Calculator

Step 1 — Context

Income targets

Target monthly net income (€) What you want to take home after tax each month

Billable hours per week Realistic client-facing hours only, not total working hours

Step 2 — Criteria

Costs and deductions

Monthly business overhead (€) Software, hardware, coworking, insurance, etc.

Effective tax rate (%) Estimated total tax burden as a percentage of gross income

Step 3 — Weight

Buffer for uncertainty

Buffer percentage (%) Add headroom for slow months, sick days, non-billable admin. 15–25% is typical.

Step 4 — Output

Your result Fill in the fields above

Enter monthly target and billable hours to see your rate.

This is a floor, not a target. The result is the minimum rate at which the work is financially viable. Your actual rate should account for market rates, your experience level, and the value you deliver — all of which typically push the number higher.