Freelancer day rate calculator
Work backwards from what you want to take home. We handle the tax, NI, and non-billable time so you know exactly what to charge.
Your goals
Tell us what you want to take home and how you work
What you want in your pocket after tax
Account for admin, marketing, sick days. Most freelancers bill 70-80% of their time.
Software, equipment, etc.
SIPP or personal pension
Based on 2025/26 UK tax rates. Your actual tax may differ depending on your circumstances.
Why your day rate matters
Typical billable time
Most freelancers spend around 20% of their working time on admin, marketing, and chasing invoices.
Goes to tax
Between income tax and National Insurance, a significant chunk of your gross income goes to HMRC.
Working days per year
With 5 weeks holiday on a 5-day week. Your actual billable days will be lower.
How this calculator works
Most day rate calculators divide your target salary by 365 and call it done. This one works backwards from your actual take-home pay, adds on income tax, National Insurance (Class 2 and Class 4), and business expenses, then divides by your realistic billable days. The result is the minimum day rate you need to charge to hit your take-home target.