Freelance Day Rate Calculator
Convert your hourly rate into standard full-day and half-day client booking rates, with built-in buffer for context switching.
Freelance Hourly & Day Rate Calculator
Solve backwards from your personal take-home goal, accounting for unpaid admin hours, software, and self-employment taxes.
Quick Answer: Core Formula & Key Drivers
A freelance day rate is typically 7.5 to 8 times your hourly rate plus a 15%–20% premium to account for client onboarding friction and the inability to take other work that day. If your hourly rate is $100/hr, your standard day rate is $900–$950/day.
Worked Example: $100/hr Creative Freelancer Booking
Scenario: You bill $100/hr and are asked by an agency for your dedicated day rate.
What Is Not Included In This Model
- ✕Travel and per-diem expenses for on-site client bookings
Frequently Asked Questions
Why charge 65% for a half day instead of 50%?+
A half-day commitment makes booking another client on that same morning or afternoon virtually impossible, so you must price the lost opportunity accordingly.
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