Free tool, no sign-up
Hourly rate calculator for tradespeople and freelancers
Work back from what you want to earn and what the business costs to run, to the hourly rate you need to charge. Then price a job with materials and markup.
Start from an example
Examples only. Change every number to match your business.
Runs in your browser. Nothing you type is saved or sent.
Put the price on a professional quote
Turn your rate into a quote or invoice PDF in a minute, with your logo and an optional review QR code.
How to use your result
- Put in what you want to pay yourself before income tax.
- List every business cost for a year, including the van, insurance and tools you replace.
- Be realistic about chargeable hours. Travel, quoting and paperwork aren't paid.
- Compare your rate with local competitors, then decide where you want to sit.
The sums
Hourly rate = (your pay + business costs) ÷ (weeks worked × chargeable hours a week). Job price = hours × rate + materials × (1 + markup).
Related free tools
- Profit margin calculator: Margin, markup, the price for a target margin and break-even sales.
- VAT, GST and sales tax calculator: Add or remove UK VAT, Australian GST or US sales tax.
Questions about this tool
Why is my rate higher than I expected?
Because most owners charge for fewer hours than they work. Travel, quotes, admin and quiet weeks all have to be paid for by the hours you do charge.
Does this include VAT, GST or sales tax?
No. Add tax on top if you're registered. The VAT calculator does that.
Should I charge by the hour or by the job?
Many customers prefer a fixed price. Use your hourly rate to build the fixed price, so every job still covers your costs.
See where you rank before you spend another dollar on marketing.
Tell us three things and your audit is on its way. No card, no sales call required.
What happens next: your audit link arrives by email within 1 business day.