What is it?
The hourly rate calculator works out how much turnover you need per year and which hourly rate goes with it.
Calculate your freelance hourly rate: what is the minimum to charge?
Clients & sales
Enter your annual costs, desired net income, billable hours and an indicative tax burden. You see your minimum hourly rate excluding VAT straight away.
Start free, no credit card needed.
Minimum indicative hourly rate (excl. VAT)
€71
Gross turnover needed: €100,000 / year
Indicative only — not tax advice.
Who is it for?
For freelancers who want to back up a rate, for new clients or when raising a rate.
What problem does it solve?
A rate set by gut feeling seems fine until you count the hours for administration, acquisition and sickness. Then less is left than you thought.
What you get
01
An amount straight away
You immediately see your minimum hourly rate and the gross annual turnover you need for it.
Start for free02
Your own assumptions
You adjust costs, target income, hours and tax burden yourself and see what each number does.
Start for free03
Realistic hours
Calculate with billable hours, not every hour you work. That makes the difference.
Start for freeHow it works in SmartWerk
Enter your annual costs
All business costs per year: software, insurance, office, transport, training.
Choose your net goal
How much do you want to keep per year after costs and tax?
Estimate your billable hours
How many hours per year can you actually invoice, after holidays, sickness and acquisition?
Read your minimum rate
You see the hourly rate excluding VAT and the gross annual turnover that goes with it.
What you can do
With your rate you know what your assignments must yield. The next step is checking whether an assignment actually does.
Minimum hourly rate
A clear amount excluding VAT, in euros and in your language.
Gross turnover per year
See how much turnover you need to reach your net goal.
Adjustable tax burden
Set a percentage that fits your situation; it remains an indication.
Seven languages
The calculator works in Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish, Polish and Russian.
Use it for your quote
Take the rate as a starting point for your quote or for a conversation about your rate.
Connected to other tools
Suited for:ConsultantsDevelopers
Frequently asked questions
Is the hourly rate calculator free?
Yes. It is a public calculator and you do not need a SmartWerk account.
What data does the calculator use?
Your annual costs, your desired net income, your billable hours per year and an indicative tax burden.
Is the result binding?
No. The hourly rate is an indication and not tax or legal advice.
How does the calculator arrive at the rate?
It adds your net goal and your costs, divides that by what remains after tax and divides the result by your billable hours.
Try it with your own data
Create a free account and start with one client. Upgrading can wait until you really need a feature.