Hourly Rate Calculator for Designers
Find the hourly rate your design work deserves. Factor in expenses, taxes, and billable hours so every logo, layout, and revision is priced to sustain you.
Quoting too low means endless revisions for pocket change; quoting blind risks losing the project. Many designers set rates by gut feel and discover too late that software, taxes, and non-billable hours ate the margin.
This free calculator turns your target income, expenses, and realistic billable hours into an hourly rate you can defend. Walk into every pricing conversation with numbers, not nerves.
Try it right here
Find your number in seconds, then open the full tool to test scenarios and lock in your rate.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my salary-equivalent rate feel too low for freelance design?
Employees get paid leave, equipment, and employer tax contributions. Freelancers cover all of that plus unbilled admin and gaps between projects, so your hourly rate must sit well above a salaried equivalent.
How many billable hours should designers assume per week?
Most freelancers bill 15 to 25 hours a week once pitches, revisions, admin, and marketing are counted. Estimate conservatively so your rate survives slow weeks.
Should I charge hourly or per project?
Use your hourly rate as the floor for project quotes: estimate the hours, multiply by your rate, and quote the total. You get project pricing backed by real math.
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