How this calculator works & sources ↓
Employment comes with paid holiday, sick pay, and a pension top-up built in — freelancing doesn't. Work out the day rate that actually matches the income you want, once real working days and costs are accounted for.
Switching region updates the currency and typical starting figures — every number stays fully editable.
What you want to earn, what it costs to run, and how many days you can actually bill.
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Want to turn this into a full plan? Grab the free Budgeting Checklist — a checklist plus 3 worksheets to put these numbers to work.
Get the free checklist →Because a salary comes with paid holiday, sick pay, a pension contribution, and no gaps between jobs — a day rate has to cover all of that itself, on fewer billable days than you'd think.
Start from 52 weeks, subtract holiday and time between contracts, then knock a chunk off for admin and finding work. Most freelancers bill well under 230 days a year, even working full-time.
Many freelancers do, as a buffer for quiet months or scope creep — this figure is the minimum to hit your target, not necessarily what to quote.
Grab the free Budgeting Checklist below — a checklist plus 3 fill-in worksheets, delivered straight to your inbox.
Estimates the day rate required using your desired earnings, costs and chargeable working days. Taxes, insurance and non-billable time depend on your circumstances and location.
Sources and further reading: Uses the inputs you provide and the calculation assumptions described above.