Start with your desired take-home income
What you want to put in your pocket after everything is paid.
Add your business expenses
Software, equipment, coworking, insurance, and other costs.
Account for taxes
Estimated based on your country's self-employment and income tax rates.
Factor in platform fees
If you use Upwork, Fiverr, or similar platforms.
Divide by realistic billable hours
Not all working hours are billable. Admin, marketing, and business development take time.
One of the biggest mistakes new freelancers make is assuming they can bill 40 hours per week. In reality, you'll spend significant time on:
Most freelancers can realistically bill 60-70% of their working hours. Some highly efficient freelancers with steady retainer clients might reach 75-80%, but this is the exception.