Most freelance rate calculators start with your hourly rate and tell you what you'd earn. ChargeWhat works the other way: you enter the take-home pay you actually want, and it tells you the minimum rate you need to charge to get there.

It accounts for the costs most freelancers forget — self-employment tax (15.3% on 92.35% of net profit), your US state income tax, health insurance, business expenses, and a profit buffer. The result is a rate grounded in your real numbers, not a guess.

What it calculates:

• Minimum hourly rate and recommended rate

• Day rate equivalent

• Annual billable hours based on your availability

• SE tax estimate

• Visual breakdown of where your gross revenue goes

• "What if I raised my rate?" scenarios

• Project quote with scope creep buffer and deposit amount

A UK version is also available for sole traders, covering Income Tax, Class 4 NI, pension contributions, student loan repayments, and the Scottish 6-band tax system.

Free. No signup. No data stored.