Business calculator
Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator
Estimate a freelance day rate from annual income, billable days, and overhead.
FormulaDay rate = target income x (1 + overhead %) / billable days
Formula
Day-rate formula
Day rate = target income x (1 + overhead %) / billable days
120,000 target income with 20% overhead over 180 billable days is 800/day.
FAQ5 common questions for this calculator.
FAQs
Why include overhead?+
Overhead helps account for taxes, software, unpaid admin time, and business expenses.
How does the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator calculate the result?+
For the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator, it uses the Day-rate formula: Day rate = target income x (1 + overhead %) / billable days. 120,000 target income with 20% overhead over 180 billable days is 800/day.
What information do I need to use the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator?+
For the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator, enter annual income, billable days, and overhead. Keep the units consistent with the calculator fields and compare your setup with the worked example on the page.
How accurate is the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator?+
Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator is accurate when the business inputs come from the same reporting period and definition. It applies the Day-rate formula. Platform attribution windows, refunds, taxes, or overhead allocation can change the interpretation.
What should I check before using the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator result?+
For the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator, check annual income, billable days, and overhead, measurement period, attribution window, revenue basis, costs, and rounding rules. Business metrics change meaning when inputs come from different systems or time ranges.
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How to use the Freelance / Day-Rate Calculator
Estimate a freelance day rate from annual income, billable days, and overhead. The page also explains the day-rate formula and shows a practical example: 120,000 target income with 20% overhead over 180 billable days is 800/day.
- 1
Enter your details
Enter annual income, billable days, and overhead, then complete any other fields shown in the calculator.
- 2
Check the calculation
Review the result alongside the day-rate formula: Day rate = target income x (1 + overhead %) / billable days.
- 3
Compare scenarios
Change one or more inputs to see how they affect the freelance / Day-Rate Calculator result before you use the estimate.