Freelance Project Pricing Calculator
Flat projects fail when scope and revisions are underestimated. This builds a price from hours, buffer, costs, and margin.
Last updated June 2, 2026
Use it before you send a quote, not after you are underwater.
Your numbers
Example values are shown so you can see how it works. Replace them with your own.
- Labor at target rate$1,500
- With revision buffer$1,800
- After margin$2,128
- Effective rate after reserve$68.83/hr
If the client pushes back, you know which lever to move: scope, buffer, or margin.
Estimates only, based on the numbers you enter. Nothing is saved to the page address. Tax figures are rough planning numbers, not filing advice.
Assumptions this calculator makes
- Revision buffer adds to hours, not a separate line item.
- Tax reserve is rough planning only.
This is an estimate, not advice
Every result here is a rough model based only on the numbers you enter. Sidequity is an informational tool and does not provide professional, tax, legal, investment, or financial advice, and it makes no income guarantees. Any tax set-aside is a planning placeholder, not a tax calculation.
For decisions that affect your money, taxes, or business, review your situation with a qualified professional. See our full disclaimer.
How to use it
- Estimate hours honestly, then add buffer.
- Include pass-through expenses.
What this number means
A low effective rate after the quote means the scope is too big for the price.
Common mistakes
- Quoting without revision buffer.
- Forgetting expenses.
- Undercounting hours.
Frequently asked questions
Is this guaranteed income?
No. It is an estimate from your inputs. Real results vary.
What tax reserve should I use?
Many people start around 20 to 30 percent of profit as a planning set-aside. Confirm with a tax professional.
Why is net hourly low?
Fees, costs, and unpaid time all reduce what you keep per hour.
How do I improve the result?
Raise prices, cut costs, or work more efficiently before adding more hours.
Freelance Project Pricing Calculator last updated June 2, 2026. Back to all calculators.