How Much Should a Freelancer Charge Per Hour? (2026 Calculator)
Pricing your freelance services is one of the hardest parts of going independent. Too low and you burn out. Too high and you lose clients. Here is how to calculate the right rate.
The Freelance Rate Formula
Minimum hourly rate = (Monthly expenses + Target salary) ÷ Billable hours per month
Example: €3,000 expenses + €4,000 salary target = €7,000/month needed. At 100 billable hours: €70/hour minimum.
Free Rate Calculator (Instant Results)
→ Use the free freelance rate calculator
Input your target income, expenses, and available hours. The calculator shows your minimum viable rate AND market-adjusted rate.
Average Freelance Rates by Role (2026)
- Web developer: €50-€120/hour
- Graphic designer: €35-€80/hour
- Copywriter: €40-€100/hour
- SEO specialist: €50-€150/hour
- Virtual assistant: €20-€50/hour
These are European market rates. US rates run 20-40% higher.
Should You Charge More?
If every client says yes immediately, you are too cheap. Raise your rate by 20% and see what happens.