A freelancer's tool

Freelance Reality Check

Most freelancers are earning 30–50% less than they think.
Find out what you actually need to charge.

Step 1 of 5 — Income Goal

How much do you want to take home?

Your target income before business expenses, after tax. This is what lands in your personal account.

£

Not sure? UK median freelance income is around £40–50k take-home.

%

UK basic rate freelancers: ~25–30% (inc. NI). Use 0 if you've already factored tax into your target above.

Step 2 of 5 — Working Time

How much do you actually work?

Be honest — include quiet periods, Christmas, sick days, the weeks where nothing happens.

46 wks
52 weeks − holidays − slow weeks. 46 is typical for most freelancers.
40 hrs
Step 3 of 5 — Unbillable Time

Where does your time actually go?

These are hours you work but can't charge for. Fill in what applies to you — leave blank if it doesn't.

Client emails & calls Ongoing communication, check-ins, updates
hrs/wk
Proposals & quoting Writing briefs, scoping, pitching new work
hrs/wk
Admin & invoicing Bookkeeping, chasing payments, paperwork
hrs/wk
Marketing & self-promotion Social media, portfolio, networking
hrs/wk
Learning & development Keeping skills current, courses, research
hrs/wk
Total unbillable
11 hrs/wk
Step 4 of 5 — Business Costs

What does running your business cost?

Software, accountant, equipment, insurance, professional development — anything you spend to operate.

£

Don't include personal expenses or things you'd spend anyway. Just business costs.

Step 5 of 5 — Your Current Rate

What do you charge right now?

Your quoted hourly rate — what's on your rate card. Leave blank if you work on project fees or aren't sure.

£
Your real effective rate
—
what you actually take home per hour worked
What you need to charge
£0
Billable hours / year
—
Total needed (gross)
—
inc. tax + expenses
Time lost to overheads
—
hrs/week you can't bill
At your current rate
—

Recommended rate (30% buffer)
£0/hr