Freelance Rate Calculator
Determine your ideal hourly rate to ensure you're profitable and not undercharging.
Why Most Freelancers in India Stay Poor
Many talented freelancers in India struggle financially because they make a critical mistake: they price their services like an employee, not a business. They forget to account for business expenses, taxes (including GST), retirement savings (there's no EPF), and the fact that they can't bill 40 hours a week. This calculator forces you to think like a business owner, helping you find the minimum hourly rate you need to not just survive, but thrive.
How to Calculate a Profitable Rate
To find your baseline freelance rate, you need to be honest about your finances:
- Desired Annual Salary (₹): How much do you need to earn *before taxes* to cover your personal expenses and savings goals?
- Annual Business Expenses (₹): Add up all your costs: software, internet, coworking space, marketing, etc.
- Billable Hours per Week: Be realistic. Most freelancers can only bill for 20-30 hours a week. The rest is spent on non-billable but essential tasks like finding clients.
This calculator will then compute the minimum hourly rate you must charge. This is your baseline; you can and should charge more based on your experience and the value you provide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is a good freelance hourly rate in India?
A: This varies wildly. A junior content writer might charge ₹500/hour, while an experienced mobile app developer could charge over ₹5,000/hour. Don't look at others. Use this calculator to find the rate *you* need to be profitable, then adjust upwards for your skill and experience.
Q: Should I charge by the hour or by the project?
A: Always calculate your rate hourly first. This is your foundation. You can then use this rate to quote fixed project fees. For example, if your hourly rate is ₹1,200 and you estimate a project will take 20 hours, you quote a project fee of at least ₹24,000 plus a 15-20% buffer for revisions.
Q: How do I account for taxes like GST?
A: Your business expenses should include an estimate for your income tax liability. If you are registered for GST, you typically charge this on top of your freelance rate, so it does not need to be factored into your rate itself. However, you must account for the time spent on compliance.