Freelance Rate Calculator: Hourly vs Value-Based Pricing

Set your minimum day rate, then compare it with value pricing

The minimum day rate starts from the net income you want: required revenue = net ÷ (1 − charges rate) + expenses, divided by the days you can actually bill in a year. For €45,000 net with 24% charges, €6,000 of expenses and 164.5 billed days, you need €397 a day, or €57 an hour on a 7-hour day.

Formulas

• Required revenue = desired net income ÷ (1 − charges %) + annual business expenses.
• Billable days = (52 − weeks off) × billable days per week.
• Minimum day rate = required revenue ÷ billable days, rounded up; hourly rate = required revenue ÷ (days × 7 h).
• Value price = value created for the client × share captured, spread over a fixed 10-day project to give an effective day rate.

Worked example

Defaults: €45,000 net, 24% charges, €6,000 of expenses, 5 weeks off and 3.5 billable days a week. Required revenue is €65,211 over 47 × 3.5 = 164.5 days, so a minimum day rate of €397 and €57 an hour. A project worth €30,000 to the client, billed at 15% of that value, is priced €4,500: over 10 days that is €450 a day, €536 more than 10 days at the minimum rate.

What sets it apart

It starts from an income goal to set a price floor, then shows what fixed-price billing changes. The site's day-rate-to-salary converters work the other way, from rate to net income.

Limits

• The charges rate is a free field applied to revenue minus expenses. For a French micro-business, contributions are due on all revenue: entering 25.8% gives €66,647, while €68,733 is needed to actually keep €45,000 before income tax.
• The rate should include income tax if you target an after-tax net.
• The 10-day length of the value simulator cannot be changed.

This is an estimate and does not replace an accountant's advice.

Sources and dates: 25.6% overall rate for BNC micro-entrepreneurs under the French general scheme since 1 January 2026 (Entreprendre Service Public news item of 27 February 2026), plus a 0.2% training levy (French Labour Code, article L6331-48) (checked on 14/10/2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I work out my day rate from the net income I want?

Divide your target net by (1 − charges rate), add your annual expenses, then divide by your billable days. For €45,000 net, 24% charges and €6,000 of expenses, required revenue is €65,211; over 164.5 billed days, the minimum day rate is €397.

How many billable days should a freelancer count in a year?

The tool multiplies weeks worked by the days actually billed each week. With 5 weeks off and 3.5 billed days a week (the rest goes to sales and admin), that is 47 × 3.5 = 164.5 days, or 1,151.5 hours on a 7-hour day. Moving to 4 days a week brings the minimum day rate down to €347.

How does the tool compute a value-based price?

It multiplies the value the project creates for the client by the share you charge. For €30,000 of value and 15%, the fixed price is €4,500. Spread over a 10-day project, a length fixed in the tool, that is an effective €450 a day, €536 more than 10 days at the example's minimum rate.

What charges rate should a French micro-business enter?

In 2026, a BNC micro-entrepreneur under the general scheme pays 25.6% contributions plus a 0.2% training levy on all turnover, with income tax on top. Because the tool applies the rate to revenue minus expenses, it slightly understates the revenue needed: €66,647 instead of €68,733 for €45,000 net before tax and €6,000 of expenses.

Is this tool really free?

Yes, all tools on Kristools are 100% free and accessible without registration.

Is my data protected?

Yes. All processing is performed directly and securely inside your browser. No personal data is sent to our servers.