Freelance Hourly Rate Calculator

Calculate the hourly rate you need to charge to meet your income goals as a freelancer or contractor in the UK.

Rate Calculator
Income Goals
£
What you want to take home after tax
%
Income tax + NI (typically 20-40%)
Working Time
Time spent on client work
Time Off (Non-Billable)
UK statutory: 28 days
Non-client work time
Annual Business Costs
£
Professional indemnity, etc.
£
£
Accountant, travel, etc.
%
Recommended: 10-15% of income
Setting Your Freelance Rate
Why Your Rate Should Be Higher Than Employment

As a freelancer, you need to cover costs that employers typically pay:

  • Employer's National Insurance: 15% that employers pay (2026/27)
  • Pension contributions: Employers typically contribute 3-5%
  • Holiday pay: 28 days statutory minimum
  • Sick pay: No statutory sick pay for self-employed
  • Training and development: You fund your own skills
  • Equipment and software: Laptops, tools, subscriptions
  • Admin time: Invoicing, accounting, marketing
Typical UK Freelance Rates (2026)
Role Day Rate Range
Junior Developer£200-350
Mid-Level Developer£350-500
Senior Developer£500-750
Designer£250-500
Project Manager£400-600
Consultant£500-1000+
Tips
Pricing Strategies
  • Start with your minimum rate and adjust based on market
  • Charge more for specialist skills
  • Consider value-based pricing for high-impact projects
  • Review and increase rates annually
Common Mistakes
  • Forgetting to account for non-billable time
  • Not including business costs
  • Underestimating tax liability
  • Not factoring in pension savings
Billable vs Non-Billable Time

Most freelancers can only bill 60-70% of their working time. The rest goes to:

  • Finding new clients
  • Admin and accounting
  • Training and learning
  • Marketing yourself
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